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South African Wine
Situated at the Southernmost tip of the African continent, South Africa is a country rich in diversity, steeped in history, and with a bright future ahead of it. Agriculture is one of South Africa's principal industries, and its rich culture of winemaking spans 300 years.
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!
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.
About Chenin Blanc
It's a little known fact, but a fact all the same, that South African Chenin Blanc wines are among the world's finest. It's also a fact that there is a group of visionary South African wine producers who are, not only fast spreading the word, but also continually providing hard evidence by producing Chenin Blanc wines of increasingly remarkable quality.
Our Vineyards
Boasting some of the highest planted vines in the Cape Winelands, Chamonix has around 50 hectares under vineyard.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity and conservation also high on the agenda...
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.
Terroir - The Valley and its People
Seamed by two mountain ranges, the Breedekloof valley is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Klein Karoo.
Fairtrade
Fairtrade was introduced to ensure a better deal for growers and small-scale producers in developing countries. These people have often found that they are unable to obtain a fair price for their products because of their remoteness or size of operation.
History
Scholtzenhof, one of the very oldest wine farms in the Cape, was originally granted as Zandberg in 1689.