De Doornkraal

The Vineyard, Cultivar and Viticulture

De Doornkraal Wine Estate, located in Lower Long Street, established its vineyard in 2008. The vineyard consists of a single block Syrah cultivar.  A biodiversity strategy is strictly followed by utilising environmentally friendly farming practices that enhance the suitability of the vineyard as habitat for biodiversity. Viticulture practices that have negative impacts on biodiversity are completely avoided. No pesticides or herbicides are allowed in the proximity of the De Doornkraal Wine Estate. Spraying of the vineyard is done manually and only organic substances are used.

No chemical fertilisers are applied to the soil; instead organism-friendly organic materials are administered through the irrigation system to stimulate growth.  Positive results have already been achieved, judging from the large number of dragonflies, ladybirds and bees inhabiting the vineyard. Moreover, in November 2009 there was a sudden influx of African Openbilled Storks Anastomus Lamelligerus for the first time in living memory. A tall tree overlooking the De Doornkraal Wine Estate's vineyard and pond has become their favourite perch. They feed primarily on molluscs and naturally keep the vineyard and surrounds free of snails. The unusual-looking bill is specialised for extraction of snails from their shells. Harvesting is also done manually to prevent oil and exhaust fumes from polluting the environment. 

The Winery and Cellar

The 150-year-old barn, with its almost one-metre-thick clay walls and 7-metre-high roof, was transformed into a modern winery. The old barn, now air-conditioned, also serves as a cellar where the oak barrels for the ageing of the red wine are stored. In contrast to the old barn, the wine-producing technology is state of the art. The fermentation and storage tanks are manufactured from high-quality austentic stainless steel and equipped with dimple cooling jackets to control the wine-making process optimally. All visible external tank surfaces are circle polished.

The "Aan't Vette" Wines

Two fine wines are produced from the vineyard located on the banks of the Vette river that borders the wine estate. The name "Aan't Vette" is derived from the Vette river, and means "on the banks of the Vette river".

First of the "Aan't Vette" Syrah wines is a red, subtitled "Divine Reserve". This wine is still resting in small French oak barrels, but will soon be ready for tasting at the De Wingerdt Restaurant of the De Doornkraal Boutique Hotel.

The award-winning Syrah Blanc de Noir wine named "Aan't Vette" Syrah Blanc de Noir 1st Divine Blush 2011 was crowned with a bronze medal at the 2011 South African Young Wine Show that is presented annually by the South African National Wine Show Association. This is a remarkable achievement since the 2011 harvest is De Doornkraal Wine Estate's first vintage.

The competition gives winemakers the opportunity to showcase their best wines of the current vintage. The eight participating wine regions are Robertson, Worcester/Breedekloof, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Oranje-Vaal, Olifants River, Swartland and Little Karoo. Individual entries from outside these regions are also allowed. The show dates back to 1833 when the Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Society presented the first wine show in South Africa, making it the oldest wine competition in South Africa.  The Society, now known as Agri-Expo, is still a sponsor of this important show in the wine industry.

The De Doornkraal Wine Estate is located on land proclaimed in 1838 as "a place of divine worship", hence the "divine" in the names. Both wines are of a quality that lives up to the "divine".

Wine Sales  

For ease of handling and transport, wines are available in cases of 6 bottles each.  Wines can be ordered by contacting the Estate:

e-mail:  kelder@dedoornkraal.com

landline: +27 28 713 3838

mobile: +27 82 958 0622

Family Tradition

Viticulture is an old tradition of the Steyn family of De Doornkraal. During the 1800s the current owner's great-grandfather and grandfather farmed in the Langstraat (Lower Long Street on Google) area of Riversdale. Their wine farm was called "De Wingerdt", which is Dutch for "The Vineyard". The  De Wingerdt Restaurant at De Doornkraal Boutique Hotel is named after their wine farm.