Winesoundtrack - South Africa

Can seven generations of family tradition continue to redefine the future of South African wine? 

In this special episode of Wine Soundtrack, we travel to the breathtaking Breedekloof Valley in South Africa to meet Kobus Deetlefs, sixth-generation owner of Deetlefs Wine Estate—the second-oldest family-owned wine estate in South Africa, continuously owned by the same family since 1822.
For more than two centuries, the Deetlefs family has combined innovation with tradition, creating award-winning wines while constantly challenging the conventions of the wine industry.

In this conversation, Kobus shares how a family business can remain relevant across seven generations by embracing change without ever losing sight of its roots.We explore the remarkable history of the estate, its unique terroir in the Breedekloof Valley, its internationally acclaimed Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Sémillon and Viognier, and the philosophy that has made Deetlefs one of South Africa's most respected wine producers.

You'll also discover the extraordinary stories behind some of the estate's rarest collector wines, including the legendary 1974 Muscat d'Alexandrie, and learn why Deetlefs continues to set new standards in quality, sustainability, innovation and hospitality.
Whether you're passionate about South African wines, family businesses, entrepreneurship or the timeless connection between people, vineyards and history, this episode offers an unforgettable journey through more than 200 years of winemaking excellence.Pour yourself a glass and discover why the Deetlefs legacy is still being written—one vintage at a time.

The Lategan Family’s roots in the South African Winelands began in 1735 when Johann Hermann Lategan settled in the Wamakers Valley near the current Bergsig Estate. In 1843 Willem Hendrik Lategan moved to Bergsig and seven generations later, the proud tradition of winemaking continues. Bergsig has been in the family for almost 200 years. The Bergsig ethos is “future generations are the inheritors of this estate and therefore sustainable farming methods are a priority.” The motto that “wine that doesn’t cost the earth” resounds within the family. Being an estate, all the grapes are grown in our own vineyards, and all wines are produced and bottled on the property.

The Doolhof, nestled in a tranquil valley near Bainskloof Pass in Wellington, South Africa, offers award-winning wine estate views. The Cape Dutch Manor House has six luxurious rooms, with a separate thatched cottage for added privacy. Guests enjoy comfort, discreet service, and stunning mountain and vineyard scenery. The Doolhof Country House serves imaginative cuisine and offers facilities like a pool, hiking and biking trails, e-bike rentals, and wine tasting, picnic’s and more.
The Country House is available for private functions. Nestled at the foot of Bainskloof Pass in Wellington, the exclusive Estate is set on 380 hectares of vineyard, forest and fynbos and is surrounded by three dramatic mountain ranges. The Kromme River, which is supplemented by water from “Gawie se Water” runs through the Estate and is a major natural attraction. We invite our guests to experience the mystical Doolhof Valley. Entering the romantic country road leading into the Estate, guests are surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, vineyards and mysterious forests.

With many vintages in Burgundy Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is my absolute passion but its more of an obsession. Myself and Christelle dreamt early on about producing our own Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. We started out very small with purchasing 1Ton of Pinot Noir from the Elgin Valley. 1 Ton became 2 and 2 became 4. One Pinot Noir became 2 Pinot Noirs and we had this beautiful little business suddenly and we felt this is a oppertunity in life that you can’t pass on. In 2020 we took on La Brune fulltime and we haven’t looked back since. Coolclimate Elgin has always been the dream and we were able to purchased our farm in Elgin Valley in 2020 with no trustfunds or investors we just had a beautiful dream, guts and determination that made sense to our banker! Our philosophy is producing wines with sense of place. Wines that showcases where the vines grow and to carry all the character of the influences of the land. Hence this philosophy is followed in how treat our vines but also how we approach the winemaking process. Minimum intervention is key and we allow the wines to follow their paths we just try to give them the correct advice at certain times. High density plantings is something I am very passionate about and we are very priviliged to have one of the highest density Pinot Noir blocks planted on La Brune at 10 000 vines/ Ha and also in 2024 we planted the highest density Chardonnay block in SA (until I am proven otherwise) also at 10 000 vines/ Ha. This is important for the future of our wines and we will continue to introduce more high density Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on the farm ... real ElginBurgundians!

Since its launch in 2006, The Mentors range has established itself as one of the most sought-after premium brands in the South African wine landscape. Built around a philosophy of expressing terroir and pioneering new wines and wine-making techniques, it’s a portfolio that showcases the founding philosophy of KWV, and the rich history and depth of expertise at one of South Africa’s leading wine producers. The insights and boundary-breaking approach from this unique cellar, often home to post-graduate oenology students trialling pioneering new winemaking techniques, lead to remarkable terroir-driven wines that deserved their own spotlight. Though the first wines were bottled in 2006, it was in 2009 that The Mentors range took flight.  Situated on the outskirts of Paarl, the vast KWV production cellars are, at 24 hectares, the largest single winery in the southern hemisphere, producing upwards of 15 million litres of wine each year. Yet hidden away beneath the sea of warehouse roofs and rows of massive fermentation tanks you’ll find a special corner of this award-winning cellar; a tiny space of small tanks and hand-labelled barrels. This is the home of The Mentors. So, who are the mentors behind our name? They are all the teachers, the people over the centuries of winemaking who have brought us to where we are today.  All the skill and the knowledge that has been passed on from one generation to the next has resulted in what is today’s The Mentors. Our team’s visionary approach and exceptional craftmanship today is a culmination of this collective, deep understanding of terroir and winemaking.The Mentors is about human ability. About having the insight to recognize what Mother Nature is providing in each unique vineyard, in a specific harvest, and to have the curiosity to find the best way to express its distinct qualities.

This fortitude has been cultivated since 1918, when KWV first started trading. Today, this strength has been fortified more than 100 years over. KWV launched the premium wine brand, Cathedral Cellar, to vividly capture and illustrate KWV’s historical bond with the South African wine industry, while actively show casing its present reverence and future relevance. This wine portfolio’s brand home is the ‘heart and pulse’ of KWV’s cellar activities - its impressive cellar, with spectacularly high-vaulted domes, reminiscent of a grand cathedral - was completed in 1930 and aptly named ‘Cathedral Cellar’. Here, the story of South Africa’s history comes to life on impressive 3-meter ‘stukvats’ – on which artists have carved various impressions of the historical moments that have given shape to the industry as it stands presently. Honouring the artists who have added their voice to the memory of South Africa’s wine industry, the Cathedral Cellar winemaking team equally approaches winemaking as a form of art: captivating audiences with a range of award-winning wines, which include the Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, Cathedral Cellar Shiraz, Cathedral Cellar Triptych (a red blend), Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay, Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc and Cathedral Cellar Pinotage.

The farm was purchased in 2001 and the first vines planted in 2002 after a radical career change. A project which began as a conventional agricultural journey has evolved into an inseparable part of myself. I remain convinced that the Biodynamic method of farming which promotes a respectful relationship between plant, human, animal and soil can better preserve that complex and fragile concept we call Terroir- which is the vital difference between wine that is a commodity and wine that is an experience in all its challenges and confrontations. I think art counts even in vineyards. Solace and One Man Band are accurate expressions of my philosophy that farming is the coal face of wine production and my reluctance to use any synthetic or systemic products on Brocha is in direct line with my attempt to produce intelligent and resilient vines which can weather the vagaries of climate and weather and to offer the consumer access to wines which are sincere and genuinely representative of site and season without the interference and gloss offered by outside inputs and clever techniques and chemical residues. Werner Muller makes these wines with extreme dedication and intelligence.

Almenkerk Wine Estate, situated in the cool-climate Elgin region of South Africa, is a family-owned estate dedicated to crafting exceptional wines with precision and passion. Founded in 2004 by Joris and Natalie van Almenkerk, the estate represents a harmonious blend of their Belgian heritage and the distinctive terroir of South Africa.Almenkerk is, at its heart, a family affair. Joris, originally a law graduate, discovered his love for winemaking during a harvest in Stellenbosch and has since become a masterful vintner known for his meticulous attention to detail. Natalie, with her background in business management and communications, is the vibrant custodian of the Almenkerk brand, guiding its evolution with grace and creativity.

Elgin Vintners, a partnership of farmers in the area who entered into grape-growing and wine-making, was one of the early players in what grew into a small, but significant industry, over the next decade.

Established 1693, the Leeuwenkuil estate is one of the earliest wine farms in the region. The name Leeuwenkuil is from Dutch heritage, meaning “Lion’s Lair” – named for the place where the regal Cape  Lion once roamed the farm. Situated at the Southern-most tip to the Swartland, Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards is family owned by the 7th generation Dreyer Family. With intense focus on vineyard cultivation they own over 1250 ha of vineyards, making Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards the largest acreage of vines owned by one family in the Cape Coastal region. Only the finest 1% ‘cream’ of our production is crafted to perfection for our Leeuwenkuil ranges: Classic,  Reserve & Heritage. All our ranges are Fair for Life, IPW & vegan friendly and 100% focused on Swartland Wine of Origin, because this is where the original Leeuwenkuil farm is situated, at the Southern-most tip of the Swartland wine region. Proudly W.O. Swartland,  their wine-making philosophy is about creating uncompromisingly honest, natural wines, in a restrained style that reflects the unique character of the Swartland. UNCOMPROMISING RESPECT FOR PROVENANCEAt Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards we’re committed to continue 7 generations of proud wine-making tradition in a better, more sustainable future. We believe in long-term partnerships with Place, People and Prosperity. With a deep respect for provenance, we create uncompromisingly honest, natural wines, in a restrained style, that is true to the character of our region. Through intense focus on premium vineyard production, and the finest vinification technology, we make intriguingly honest, terroir-driven Swartland Chenin Blanc & Syrah, to share our heritage, family values & the unique character of the Swartland with the world.