The name De Wetshof has been synonymous with the production of fine wines in South Africa since the 1970’s. As the first registered wine estate in the Robertson Wine Valley, De Wetshof has become known internationally as South Africa’s eminent Chardonnay House due to the pioneering role it played in introducing this noble grape to the South Africa. The De Wet family’s winemaking heritage can be traced back to 1694 when the first De Wets arrived at the Cape and immediately made a mark on the South African wine industry. Today, De Wetshof is one of the few third generation wine estates in South Africa. Here Danie de Wet, proprietor and cellarmaster, is assisted by sons Johann (viticulture and marketing) and Peter (winemaker). De Wetshof Estate’s wines express the uniqueness of the soils of the Estate and meticulous attention to detail, while state-of-the-art technology ensures that the work in the cellar complements the gifts of natures vineyards.
Year Founded: 1949
Proprietors: Danie De Wet together with sons Johann & Peter
Winemakers: Danie & Peter de Wet
Size of property: 640 ha
Terroir: Winter rainfall is approximately 300mm per year. A cool breeze from the Agulhas Coast makes for pleasant summer afternoons. Nights are chilly with heavy fog often shrouding the vineyards until late morning during high summer. The vineyards are irrigated with a fully computerized irrigation system. The gravelly soils are extremely rich in lime with a very high pH–similar to soils of the leading wine growing regions in the world.
Annual Production: 15,000 750ml/cases
Varieties Cultivated: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot