Veenwouden Wine Estate

Veenwouden was established in 1988. The first Van der Walt to land at the Cape in 1727
hailed from Veenwouden, a tiny hamlet in Friesland, the Netherlands, hence the name. 

The planting of the new vineyards commenced in 1989, and by 1993 12 ha was finally under wine vines. 

The Vineyards

Veenwouden is wholly contained within a valley, and the vineyards lie on a gentle slope, facing northeast towards the Berg River. From the Atlantic Ocean, some 60 kilometers away, cool breezes penetrate the valley to influence the local climate in an almost Mediterranean way. Good winter rainfalls of between 600-650 mm per annum, paired with comparatively long summers, with average annual temperatures generally ranging between 20-23 degrees Celsius, ensure excellent growth. 

The cool rich ferrous clay subsoil of Veenwouden is quite unique for this area, and fortuitously happens to be superb soil for especially the Merlot and Cabernet Franc grape. This fact, combined with the excellent micro climate found on the farm, provides an environment in which the grapes can flourish, ensuring the highest possible quality.