In 1864, Adriaan de Waal, who farmed on Langverwacht/Zevenwacht in Kuilsrivier, discovered the metal tin on his farm. Following this discovery, Adriaan acquired mining rights which increased the value of his farm tremendously. He decided to sell the farm and having done so, divided the income from the sale between himself and his children. Tielman de Waal, acquired the farm Uiterwyk on the opposite side of the hill of Langverwacht.
When Tielman's eldest son, Pieter, joined his father on the farm, Tielman decided that he was still too young to retire. He divided the farm into two parts, giving the section that today is known as Jordan Wines and De Morgenzon to Pieter as his inheritance.
CT de Waal, the second oldest son, was very keen on becoming a winemaker. However in those days, you had to be the owner of a farm with a cellar to be able to work as a winemaker. And since his father wasn't going to retire soon, his only option was to study winemaking, become a lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch and then work in the experimental cellar of that institution. And that is just what he did!
Later when CT's father decided to retire, CT was offered the farm Uiterwyk as an inheritance. He waived this offer, since he had a very good job at the university. This decision led to CT becoming the first winemaker to produce a Pinotage wine.
Prof. Abraham Perold, viticulturist at the University of Stellenbosch, created Pinotage in 1925 when he crossed Pinot Noir with Hermitage. After 16 years there were enough vines to produce grapes for an experimental barrel of Pinotage wine! In 1941 Prof. Perold was looking for a winemaker to make the first Pinotage wine. CT de Waal, a winemaker and wine taster of note at the Stellenbosch University, was an obvious choice. CT de Waal became the first winemaker to vinify Pinotage, making him a pioneer of world wine history!