An introduction to De Wetshof Estate
De Wetshof is a third generation wine estate in South Africa’s Robertson Valley, where wine has been made for over 150 years. Here Danie de Wet, proprietor and cellarmaster, is assisted by sons and co-owners Johann (viticulture and marketing) and Peter (winemaker). De Wetshof Estate is a pioneer of noble white wines in South Africa and has also introduced superior red cultivars to the Robertson Wine Valley.
On De Wetshof a firm belief prevails, namely that one cannot know where you are going unless you know where you have come from. This is why the history of De Wetshof’s vineyards plays a profound role in determining present and future wine quality. Since the early 1970’s meticulous records have been kept on each vineyard as to the plants’ reaction to soil-types, irrigation and the vagaries of climate, as well as their development and progress over the years. Each vineyard is thus vinified separately during the wine-making process, the wine-makers having a clear understanding of what the fruit of each vineyard’s labour is going to deliver during a specific year.
This commitment to site-specific vineyard management and wine-making has been an integral part of the De Wetshof ethos from the outset and remains a vital and non-negotiable aspect of all the Estate’s wines.
Peter De Wet
Peter de Wet, third generation winemaker on De Wetshof Estate, followed in the footsteps of his father, Danie, and studied Viticulture and Oenology at the famous Geisenheim Institute in Germany. Before returning to De Wetshof, he traveled to the Champagne region in France, working in various wineries and making a study of the magical blend of science, skill and creativity required to produce premier sparkling wines. He is currently winemaker on De Wetshof where he produced the Estate's first Méthode Cap Classique wine.