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Case & Cork

Producer Breede River Valley, South Africa

Excelsior Estate

The De Wet family have owned Excelsior Estate in Robertson, South Africa, since 1859. Over the years it has farmed ostriches and bred racehorses, but there have always been vines.

Winery at Robertson, Breede River Valley.

Today Freddie De Wet runs its 220 hectares with his sons, Peter and Jacques. They grow five grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. Robertson is hot, but sea breezes and the Breede River cool things down, so the grapes ripen slowly and stay fresh.

For such a big estate, it is unusual that every grape is picked by hand, which means plenty of local jobs. They hold the WIETA Fair Labour Practice seal. The wines are bright and fruity, easy with or without food.

Excelsior Estate wines