There is no better season to discover the fascinating old vine history of Wellington than winter. Not only does the famous region, a mere hour from Cape Town, present numerous cosy havens from which to explore, the complexity of its old vine wines is arguably best suited for enjoyment when the weather is coolest.
“Old vine wines are less about fresh fruit and more about terroir, making them more grounded and comforting, which is perhaps what most people subconsciously seek from their winter sustenance,” says Dirk Vaeye, Chairman of Go Wellington, the region’s official wine route organisation and local tourism association.
“Enjoying them in the very place where they’ve been tended for generations makes the experience even more special.”
Some of the oldest vines in South Africa
Wellington is known for many things: cool, misty mornings and afternoon lunches that linger into dinner, the quiet rhythm of village life, and ever-present mountains that lend the valley its mythic beauty. Look deeper, and you’ll find something truly remarkable – some of the oldest vines in South Africa, still growing, still giving.
The valley is home to more than 322 hectares of vineyards aged 35 years or older — accounting for roughly 12% of Wellington’s total vineyard area. While most vineyards are traditionally replaced by this time because their declining yields are considered unprofitable, many farmers retain them because of their historic significance and unique character.
The fact is testament to the emotional connection Wellington’s old vine farmers have with their land.
These vines – some planted in Wellington as early as the 1940s – remain the living soul of the Cape’s winelands.
Wellington Wine Route
Tucked in alongside the Drakenstein and Hawequa mountain ranges, the Wellington Wine Route is steeped in history and natural splendour. Its alluvial soils, granite slopes and distinctive temperature shifts allow vines to thrive long beyond their expected lifespans – yielding fruit that reflects age, complexity, and resilience.
It’s also the cradle of vine propagation in South Africa. The majority of the country’s vineyards can trace their roots back to Wellington, a long-standing home to vine nurseries and grafting expertise.
Wine craft and farming in Wellington
While old-vine Chenin Blanc remains a calling card, Wellington’s true strength lies in its diversity of varieties – from Cinsault and Grenache to Shiraz, each with its own personality and place in the valley’s story. They occur across various farms too, which goes to highlight the depth and expanse of wine craft and farming in Wellington.
Before the Bosman family renovated the 275-year-old cellar at the eponymous winery, and when Corlea joined as winemaker, they considered uprooting an old Chenin vineyard on the farm Optenhorst that was traditionally blended into a larger batch at the Co-op. Knowing her affinity for Chenin, it was suggested Corlea vinify these grapes separately. “Three months later we tasted the wine from the barrel…we were all speechless,” says Corlea.
Today, this acclaimed wine proves that old vine wines are of unmatched character, expressing a unique intensity and complexity that warrants them a special place in the pantheon of South African wine.
The Optenhorst Chenin Blanc was planted in 1952 as a massal selection, making it the third oldest Chenin vineyard in the country.
Another old vine on the farm is Spogblok, the Afrikaans for “boast block” because it has a reputation for producing excellent quality fruit. It was planted in 1980.
The nearby farm Welgegund is also steeped in a rich historical legacy that dates back to 1777. The property is situated on the slopes of the Hawequa mountains with Cinsault and Chenin Blanc vineyards planted in 1974. Its Carignan was planted in 1979.
For wine-lovers, this is special considering old vine reds are rarer in South Africa than whites. Among Welgegund’s accolades, its Cinsault was recognised as one of Decanter’s Top 125 Global Wines in 2022.
Another old vine treasure can be found at Wolvenhoek, a boutique operation owned by Congo-born Belgian Eric Sas. Its old vine component includes five hectares preserved with the help of specialist viticulturist Rosa Kruger. The farm’s Baba Yetu Chenin Blanc comes from a block of 1985 and 1986; the Impisi Chenin Blanc, from a block of 1977.
For the owners of Jacaranda Wine Estate, keeping their old vine vineyard was a no-brainer.
“When we bought the estate in 2009, much work had to be done, and many things needed to be changed and modernized. One thing, however, was clear from the beginning – the block of Old Vine Chenin Blanc, planted in 1979 by the previous owner Jannie Tromp – was going to stay,” says René Reiser, who owns the property with spouse, Birgit Schmiederer-Reiser.
They fondly refer to it as their “kitchen block” because that’s what they see from the old farmhouse’s kitchen window.
Large wineries are rarely interested in low-yield vineyards, but this doesn’t include Wellington Wines. Two of its wines are made with fruit sourced from old vine vineyards. La Cave Chenin Blanc is made from grapes planted between 1979 and 1984. Its Duke Chenin Blanc, from vineyards planted in 1986.
A large part of Diemersfontein’s story is encapsulated in its own old vine Chenin Blanc called The Clockmaker. Named to remember Cesare Zanardi, an Italian WW2 POW who worked at Diemersfontein, its vines were planted in 1986.
Elegant, often revelatory
These wines are more than just age-worthy – they are elegant, expressive, and often revelatory. They are an invitation to experience heritage firsthand through cellar tastings, guided walks, and farm stays – with producers offering online sales for convenient access.
Wellington is a wine route that’s both off-the-beaten-track and within easy reach of Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. It’s a place to explore this winter, whether for the first time, or falling in love all over again. With timeless wines, honest hospitality, and vines that carry the memory of generations – this is heritage you can taste.
To plan your visit, learn more, or order wine online, visit www.gowellington.co.za
What: Wellington Wine Route, Western Cape
Wellington Wine Farms: Bosman Wines, Diemersfontein, Jacaranda Wine Estate, Optenhorst, Welgegund, Wolvenhoek
Follow: @GoWellingtonZA on Facebook and Instagram
WS
