Achuelean Hand Axes
As the soils were being prepared to be replanted, the team picked up some strange looking rocks that turned out to be Acheulean hand-axes. Acheulean is a period within the Stone age where humans not only used sharp objects, but started crafting their own tools. This discovery of the hand-axes was made even more significant with a title deed relating to the property dating back to the 1800’s where it stated that the property was “…not good for crop, only cattle. Too many rocks.” It was the moment the team realized that the soil and terroir they were standing on with these rocks is the true history and heritage of the property.
Sustainability
As custodians of this beautiful farm, we believe in protecting our natural resources through sustainable farming. These efforts help create an eco-system that protects our dragonfly population as well as our fauna and flora. This philosophy of sustainability drives our daily activities, as we consistently pursue balance.
Renewal
In honouring our history, and existing soils, we spent a great deal of time determining our soil types in order to plant the right varieties on the ideal site. This gives the vines the best possible chance to root itself within the ideal terroir. In order to nurture this terroir and the biodiversity around our vineyards, we look to nature and its natural indicators, adjusting our sustainable farming and winemaking practices in order to best express our soils and terroir through our grapes and wines.
The Dragonfly
Nature has adapted around the farm throughout the years. This is most prevalently seen by the return of the dragonfly population on the farm. This highly adaptive creature symbolizes our future: we adapt when needed in pursuit of balance.
Stellenzicht Syrah
We made history with our exceptional results for our 1994 Stellenzicht Syrah with John Platter noting in his 1997 guide, ‘...what might become the priciest, most prized modern Cape wine, the Stellenzicht Syrah’. 25 years later and we’re excited to continue this legacy as we pursue excellence and balance in our range of wines including our estate grown Syrah grapes. Our pride and joy is the block of Syrah vineyards grown plant material taken from the original block of Syrah that produced our award-winning Syrah. The legend lives on.