Kaapzicht Estate Rooiland Pinotage, Bottelary-Stellenbosch 2020

Suppliers of grapes to the great and the good of the South African wine industry, Kaapzicht adopted its new name ('Cape View') when it started bottling its own wines in 1984. The estate has been owned by the Steytler family since 1946 and the wines are made by Danies senior and junior, with Danie snr's brother George overseeing the vineyards. Their wives are integral to this true family operation, with German speaking Yngvild and George's wife Mandy looking after export and on-farm hospitality, and Danie jnr's wife Carin looks after local sales.

Kaapzicht is a large property with around 160 of its 190 hectares planted to grapes. It also boasts a sizeable events venue alongside its characterful tasting room, walking and biking trails, and beautiful views over Stellenbosch, Wellington and the Bottelary hills. It is situated around 18km from False Bay and c.30km from Cape Town Bay and on-shore winds mean that it is usually 3-4 degrees C cooler than the heart of Stellenbosch. There are numerous aspects, with vineyards planted up to 200m above sea level, but soils are predominantly weathered granite.

Production is around two-thirds red wines and Kaapzicht is known particularly for its pinotage, Cape Blend and red Bordeaux varieties. Around a third goes into the Kaapzicht range, with the lion's share sold off to an eager queue of winemakers who know good soil and husbandry when they see it. Winemaking is traditional, the wines robust but not overwhelmed by either oak or alcohol.

Suppliers of grapes to the great and the good of the South African wine industry, Kaapzicht adopted its new name ('Cape View') when it started bottling its own wines in 1984. The estate has been owned by the Steytler family since 1946 and the wines are made by Danies senior and junior, with Danie snr's brother George overseeing the vineyards. Their wives are integral to this true family operation, with German speaking Yngvild and George's wife Mandy looking after export and on-farm hospitality, and Danie jnr's wife Carin looks after local sales.

Kaapzicht is a large property with around 160 of its 190 hectares planted to grapes. It also boasts a sizeable events venue alongside its characterful tasting room, walking and biking trails, and beautiful views over Stellenbosch, Wellington and the Bottelary hills. It is situated around 18km from False Bay and c.30km from Cape Town Bay and on-shore winds mean that it is usually 3-4 degrees C cooler than the heart of Stellenbosch. There are numerous aspects, with vineyards planted up to 200m above sea level, but soils are predominantly weathered granite.

Production is around two-thirds red wines and Kaapzicht is known particularly for its pinotage, Cape Blend and red Bordeaux varieties. Around a third goes into the Kaapzicht range, with the lion's share sold off to an eager queue of winemakers who know good soil and husbandry when they see it. Winemaking is traditional, the wines robust but not overwhelmed by either oak or alcohol.

Around 50 employees depend on the farm, many of whom live in a small village, with its own crêche, on the property. ‘We trade fair, because we care: every bottle of wine contributes to the education of our farm children,’ say the Steytlers, who are BWI and Conservation in Action accredited.