in the vineyard : Background
Allesverloren, situated on the south-eastern slopes of the Kasteelberg near Riebeek West, is the oldest estate in the Swartland Wine of Origin district and is renowned for its red wines and port.
The farm, which dates back to 1704, began producing wine exactly a century later. In 1872 Allesverloren was acquired by Daniel Francois Malan and has remained in the Malan family for five generations.
Winemaker Danie Malan and his late father, Fanie, were among the wine pioneers of the Swartland, ably demonstrating the outstanding wine growing potential of what was once considered the breadbasket of the Cape. While wheat remains the major crop in the region, increasing numbers of wine farms are established each year to take advantage of the beneficial terroir.
Vineyard Location
Located in the Riebeekberg ward, the trellised and drip-irrigated vines grow in a combination of Malmesbury shale and Table Mountain sandstone. Established in 1990, the vineyards yielded 12 tons per hectare.