Strandveld Vineyards; the southernmost winery in Africa

Strandveld Vineyards is the southernmost winery in Africa. Located between Elim and Cape Agulhas, the winery derives its name from the belt of land that spans the tempestuous tip of Africa’s southernmost coastline. Inspired by early explorers, it was in 2001 that a group of wine lovers turned to the original navigation maps to seek out potential new vineyard sites. The Navigator, its flagship red, pays homage to Prince Henry, the patron of early Portuguese exploration who instigated the first voyages in the discovery. Adamastor, the flagship white, is named after the mythical sea god of wind and storms.

Our journey South

The Roman writer, Pliny the Elder (ad 23–79) once wrote “Semper aliquid novi Africa affert.”

We all know that he was actually referring to the animals of Africa, but, if he knew anything about the Strandveld Winery, I am sure he would have written the same quote; “‘Africa always brings forth something new”

On a cold and rainy winter morning, we saddled our trusty Subaru AWD and headed South. Google Maps tried very hard to keep us on the safe highways of the Western Cape, but my partner, navigator, and photographer, Christine, managed to direct us onto soaked, muddy, and slippery gravel-and-dirt roads for much of the way. South, and further South we went until we could go no further South. We have reached Cape Agulhas, the most Southern tip of the African continent.

A quick Google search showed that our destination, Strandveld Vineyards, was just a few muddy miles away! With renewed determination, we pointed our mud-crusted vehicle in the right direction, and minutes later we were awarded with the (very welcome) signboard of STRANDVELD VINEYARDS.

We arrived unannounced but were soon welcomed by Crystal, our host in the comfortable and cozy tasting room. Cheerful and happy wine tasters were already sampling the fruits of the vine whilst Crystal introduced me to my chosen wines. I have decided to taste the following wines:

First Sightings Sauvignon Blanc 2021

A wonderfully refreshing wine with a tropical and citrus fruit nose, a full crisp palate, and typically expressive notes of buchu and minerality.

Enjoy with all seafood, sushi, chicken or seafood pasta, salads, or simply on its own as an accompaniment to good times with friends and family.

Drink now to 2026.

AWARDS:

Double Gold Medal: Michelangelo Awards 2021

Gold Medal: Veritas Awards 2021

Platinum Award/95+ points: SAWI 2021

Four Stars: Platter’s Wine Guide 2022

Pofadderbos Sauvignon Blanc 2020

A certified single vineyard wine is grown in almost 100% rocky yellow ferricrete soil. Named for the many encounters with local Puff Adder snake residents, this cool climate Sauvignon blanc is both beautifully expressive of terroir and slow ripening conditions without the loss of flavour.

Passion fruit, grapefruit and blackcurrant on the nose. Creamy and full on the palate with citrus, fynbos and oyster shell minerality complemented by a lovely natural acidity and a long finish.

Pairs well with seafood, asparagus, tomato-based dishes, sushi, salmon and trout and goats cheese.

Serve chilled, ideally 6 to 8 degrees Celsius. Drink now to 2029.

AWARDS:

Top 10 Winner: FNB Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc 2021

92 pts/Top 10 Wine Mag Sauvignon Blanc Report 2021

Platinum Award/95+ points: SAWI 2021

Adamastor Semillon/Sauvignon blend 2019

Adamastor, God of wind and storms, is portrayed in the tempestuous weather Bartholomeu Diaz and other early explorers had to overcome when rounding Africa’s southernmost tip. The grapes for this wine come from a vineyard not far off the coast where Diaz first rounded the continent. Combinations of relentless winds and low yields lend themselves to this superb Bordeaux style Sauvignon blanc/ Semillon blend.

Typical Elim minerality and fynbos characters with citrus and white stone fruit. Full and creamy on the palate, with a combination of toasted oak flavours and a dry minerality on the aftertaste.

Pairs well with seafood, particularly shellfish (mussels, clams, prawns, scallops, oysters), roast chicken or creamy chicken dishes, pork, veal, mild curries and Asian flavoured dishes.

Serve chilled, but not ice cold, ideally 10-12 degrees Celsius. Drink now to 2029.

AWARDS:

92 pts: Tim Atkin MW Best South Africa Report 2021

92 pts/Top 10 Wine Mag Sauvignon Blanc Report 2021

Four and a half stars/90 pts: Platter’s Wine Guide 2022

Grand Gold Award: SAWI 2021

The Navigator Red blend 2018

In homage to Prince Henry the Navigator and patron of early Portuguese exploration, this aromatic Rhône blend seamlessly combines the rich flavours of Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier.

Aromas of cool-climate spice with white pepper and cloves. Floral hints courtesy of the Viognier. The spiciness carries through to the palate and is complemented by black berry flavours. The Grenache contributes red berry fruit, fine tannins and a long finish.

Pairs well with springbok and other game, meaty Italian style dishes, roast chicken, veal, duck, steak and lamb.

Serve at around 16 degrees Celsius. Peak drinking from 2024 to 2027. Maturation potential to 2029.

Strandveld Grenache 2020

This Grenache is big in fruit and structure with a beautiful deep red colour. Delightfully aromatic with vibrant red berry and black cherry aromas and intriguing fynbos notes. An opulent, juicy palate with masses of berry fruit supported by subtle, integrated oak and mouth-watering, cool climate tannins.

Pairs well with game birds, slow roast pork or lamb, lamb and beef stews, lamb shanks and strong cheeses.

Serve at around 16 degrees Celsius. Peak drinking time from 2022 to 2026.

AWARDS:

Four and a half Stars/91 points: Platter’s Wine Guide 2022

Terroir of Strandveld Vineyards

Conrad Vlok (winemaker since 2004) and Dehan Veldsman (viticulturist since 2020) describe the terroir of Strandveld Vineyards as follows:

“It is a unique and mysterious combination of extreme conditions and hardened landscapes that brings to life the distinct qualities and characters of Strandveld grapes. Constant gusts of Atlantic sea wind contribute to a relatively cooler climate in the Elim ward – and it is these same persistent cooling winds that aid in disease prevention by keeping the grapes dry, allowing for extended ripening periods and consequently keeping the yields low. The result? Small, intensely flavoured berries with great winemaking potential.

Our soils are classified as shallow to medium deep duplex soils which, whilst relatively poor in nutrients, are rich in minerals that contribute to the distinctive characteristics of the Strandveld Vineyards wines.

Layers of shale toward Elim add intense flintiness while iron-rich and granular “Koffieklip”, found closer to the ocean, gives rise to rich complexity. Red and yellow Ferricrete dominate on cooler, South facing slopes for heat-sensitive cultivars like Sauvignon blanc, while a single block of white quartzite gravel soil is used to produce the grapes for our Strandveld Vineyards Syrah.

The Strandveld Vineyards span 69 hectares of Cape Agulhas, with an approximate annual rainfall of 450 mm and colder average temperatures this cool climate lends itself to Sauvignon blanc as the dominant white varietal with smaller blocks of Semillon and Viognier. Red varietals include Shiraz and Pinot noir interspersed with pockets of Grenache and Mourvèdre.”

“Até nos encontrarmos novamente”

“Até nos encontrarmos novamente“

Até nos encontrarmos novamente (until we meet again), Adamastor and Prince Henry the Navigator!

With the rain sifting down on the grateful vines, we bade our farewells to the kind and industrious wine families of Strandveld Vineyards and pledged our everlasting allegiance to Adamastor, the god of winds and storms and to Prince Henry the Navigator and patron of early Portuguese exploration.