The Farm

Ruitersvlei and adjacent Vrymansfontein are situated on the southern slopes of Paarl Mountain, nestled between the R44 and the R101.

Ruitersvlei and adjacent Vrymansfontein are situated on the southern slopes of Paarl Mountain, nestled between the R44 and the R101. Together they actively produce wine, grown on 430 hectares.

These 2 farms successfully combine bush- and trellised vines. Bush vines grow closely to the soil, the yielding is very low, but it is the best quality.

This method was more widely used in the earlier days, opposed to trellised vines commonly used today. Kobus Mostert, experienced viticulturist, attended the well-known Elsenburg Agricultural College. He explained that the red hutton soil on the slopes and the scale soil lower in the valley proves to be ideal for this mainly red wine producing farms.

With an average rainfall of 752.8 mm per annum (2001), the mild, mediterranean climate produces effortlessly excellent quality wines.
The two methods of irrigation being used are drip and overhead irrigation. The water gets pumped from the Berg River and should this prove to be insufficient, the 5 natural dams on the properties get sustained with rainwater.

The following cultivars are planted on Ruitersvlei: Sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinotage and Petit Verdot. The current split ratio is 70% red to 30% white.

Ruitersvlei maintains the best viticultural practices to enhance our quality of our wines.

---