Stellenrust was established in 1928 and has ever since produced some of the most superb quality wines that the Stellenbosch region from South Africa can offer. It consists of about 400ha (200ha planted) of which half is stretched over the Golden Triangle area of Stellenbosch, internationally recognised for some of the best red wine soil in South Africa. The other half is situated high up in the Bottelary Hills, renowned for its cool climate and late afternoon sea breezes swooping in from Cape Town to nurture both excellent white and red wines.
This is one of the largest family-run Stellenbosch properties – two properties, really: half the 200-plus hectares are in the Helderberg Golden Triangle not far from the town, the other half in the Bottelary Hills. Some 150,000 cases are produced in a number of bottlings under their own label (from a wide range of varieties, rather more black grapes than white), other grapes are sold off, and various wines appear under the labels of clients. In fact, although the farm was established in 1928, the own-label is a newish idea, with some Stellcape Vineyards wines (initially vinified elsewhere) marketed since 2003. Then the name of the family farm, Stellenrust, was used for the main ranges. The “boutique-style” wines are made in a converted milk shed on the Bottelary property, and the larger volume ones at a large facility in Stellenbosch. Owners Tertius Boshoff and Kobie van der Westhuizen are responsible for winemaking and viticulture, respectively.
