About BC Wines

The terroir approach in a cooperative cellar......

Brandvlei Cellar was founded in 1955 and was originally situated next to the Brandvlei Dam. When the dam was enlarged in 1974 the Cellar was relocated to its present position. The modern new Cellar can be found on the R43 road between Worcester and Villiersdorp in the beautiful Breede River Valley. The name Brandvlei, originally Brandende Vlei, has long been described as the area around the Hot Water Springs.
The vineyards are situated in an area where millions of years ago, glacial activity, especially from the Karoo, left rich geologicall deposits, which created the unique and fertile soil types of the area. It is especially the Dwyka formations with their characteristic rocky outcrops that make the surrounding koppies so stunningly beautiful.

Our Vineyards
There are more than 1200 ha of registered vineyards and most of the important cultivars have already been planted. New vineyards are planted according to a long established market orientated cultivation programme. New cultivations are focused on premium cultivars like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz because the Karoo soils and stone terraces are especially suited for the production of quality wines. For quality control purposes, selection blocks are chosen to allow for the identification of the highest quality grapes, which are then harvested together in special selection tanks. The Cellar has been specially designed to enable these grapes to be received and processed separately. This is one of the Cellar’s most exciting projects and the wines bear witness to its success. A Sauvignon Blanc study group assists the producers with the management of this exciting cultivar. Exposure to the wines from every different block and interaction within the group ensure that this cultivar will take its rightful place in the market in the future.

Training
The Cellar is at the forefront of the industry concerning education and training. A practical introductory viticulture course is presented every year to local farm employees. Candidates are chosen from each of the registered farms. Subjects that are covered include: choices of rootstock and grapevine cultivars for different soil types, irrigation, winter pruning, canopy management, optimum ripeness, safety precautions and regulations when working with chemicals and evaluation of wines.

The Winery
The relatively young Cellar is proud to be one of the most modern in the business. This is especially due to the new red wine tanks, manufactured in Italy, that ensure the production of quality red wines. The Cellar also has cold storage facilities where two million litres of juice can be kept at -2°C. Cold stabilisations, especially of export wines, are also done here.

IPW
The Brandvlei Cellar and all its members are part of the Integrated Production of Wine. This system will make a concerted effort to conserve natural resources and the environment. It will also assure the well-being and health of the people as well as encourage continually profitable agricultural production in the future.

Visits
You are cordially invited to visit the Brandvlei Cellar to enjoy our hospitality and to taste our wines. Organised cellar tours are be presented on request. The Cellar has excellent facilities for receptions and functions. Wines can be tasted and bought on the premises. The complete range of wines is also available at Boland Agri (Pty) Ltd and Worcester Winelands in Worcester.

Our Labels
The lines represent the surrounding mountain range, the peak of which is Jonaskop and is regularly covered with snow in winter. The eye on the range represents Draaivlei which lies next to the cellar.

Business Hours
Monday to Thursday: 07h30 - 17h30
Friday: 07h30 - 16h30
Saturdays: 09h00 - 13h00

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