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Leopard's Leap - Our Passions
Alongside its primary dedication - making quality wines to appeal to modern, adventurous palates - Leopard's Leap Family Vineyards has three special passions: food, conservation and literature.
Our Estate
Waterford Estate is situated in one of the world's most visually arresting pockets of paradise. Located on the rolling slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, leading around to the picturesque Upper Blaauwklippen Valley.
Vineyards
For the last 100 years or so, quality grapes have been delivered to De Helderberg Co-op, but in 1994 we pressed a small quantity of our Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
Background
Van Loveren is situated 160 kilometers from Cape Town, in the Breede River Valley between Robertson and Bonnievale. Banks of scarlet cannas along the roadside distinctly mark the property, which has been in the Retief family for over three generations.
Family Involvement
The Dreyer Family bought the farm, Remhoogte south east of Hermanus in the Akkedisberg area in 1982. Piet Dreyer was doing commercial fishing at the time. They ran livestock and later planted citrus trees. Piet’s wife and children tended the farm in his absence. During 1999 the Dreyers planted 10 hectares Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz.
Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI)
The BWI is a pioneering partnership between the South African wine industry and the conservation sector.
Conservation
In 1996 Peter Pentz was the first private individual to be awarded the States premier conservation award.
Farm History
Blaauwklippen was founded in 1682 by Gerrit Jansz Visser, but it wasn’t until 1688 that the first vineyards were planted in the fertile soil of the estate. Jump forward to 1899, when famed businessman and politician Cecil John Rhodes became the owner of Blaauwklippen, but only for one day!
Terroir - The Valley and its People
Seamed by two mountain ranges, the Breedekloof valley is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Klein Karoo.
Our Farm
Steeped in history and boasting some of the highest planted vineyards in the Cape, Chamonix is set amongst 300 hectares of pristine natural beauty on the Eastern slopes of the Franschhoek mountains.