De Wetshof
The De Wetshof wine estate is located in the Stellenbosch wine-growing region. Danie de Wet, the owner, was and is a true pioneer. The De Wet family came to the Cape as early as 1693 and had been active in the wine industry from the earliest times. But it was Danie’s father, Oom Johann, who founded the winery in 1952 in the Robertson Valley on the Breede River, where warm, sunny days are replaced by cool nights.
After his studies in Geisenheim, his father gave him a free hand to transform the farm into a modern wine-growing operation, which today has over 200 hectares of vines. The 1970s were years of change in the South African wine world. Despite strict import bans and quarantine regulations, Danie de Wet managed to obtain European grapes of white varieties such as Riesling and Chardonnay for De Wetshof in a roundabout way. In this way, the winery became the first and one of the most important Chardonnay producers in South Africa.
The farm’s vineyards are planted on predominantly calcareous soils with a planting density of 4,000 vines per hectare, with yields varying from 15 to 80 hl/ha depending on the wine. The wine style is based on the French model of great Chardonnays from Burgundy. Typical of this are the use of French oak barriques and the “sur lie” method.
Wines from De Wetshof at Savinis
At Savinis, you will find the accumulated knowledge and expertise of years of experience. Every South African wine has its own story – be it in relation to the winery, its owner, the winemaker, the vineyard, the production or the geographical and geological conditions.
Do you have questions about a specific De Wetshof wine – or can’t find it in our online store? Ask us, we will be happy to help you!