Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned farm using organic practices. The farm is perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Waterkloof are one of The Western Cape’s first WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Conservation Champions with a formal conservation plan in place including, amongst myriad regenerative practices: clearing approximately half of this 200 hectare estate of alien invader species and restoring the Cape’s world-renowned and increasingly rare indigenous flora and fauna. They are a member of The Integrated Production of Wine Scheme, a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme and a member of The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association, a multi-stakeholder, non-profit voluntary organisation which actively promotes ethical trade in the wine industry.
Water conservation is extremely important at Waterkloof were dry farming practices are used where possible. Only the very young vines are irrigated, when necessary, through a drip-irrigation system. Water from the winery and restaurant is recycled through a natural water treatment system. Very little waste water is released into the municipal system. Cover-crops have been sowed to increase carbon and nitrogen in soils. Rolled flat to hold moisture in soil and supress weeds. Minimal tillage takes place to increase organic matter, reduce soil compaction, increase water holding capacity and prevent erosion. Pests are controlled through biodiversity and release of natural predators as opposed to using pesticides and earthworms are farmed to make extracts for fertilising young vineyards. 300-500 tonnes of compost is produced on site each year in various forms. The farm also uses livestock husbandry for weed control, gentle tillage, fertilising and compost production via their Duroc pigs, Nguni cattle and Angora Goats.
The winery is solar powered with batteries for storage of excess energy. Peroxide is used a cleaning agent in the cellar as it breaks down in water after 15 minutes, leaving no residue. All used boxes, dividers, bottles, screwcaps, plastics, paper and labels are recycled. Old, unused bottles are sold to bottle recyclers who wash and resell them. Lightweight glass used for 95% of wine production.
Visit their YOUTUBE channel (waterkloofwines) for more depth and detail
Circle of Life tells the story of Waterkloof: a conventionally farmed amphitheatre of windswept vineyards with vast, untapped potential which,...
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Waterkloof is serious when it comes to the potential of South Africa’s ‘work-horse’ varietals, when expressed through seriously old vines,...
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FBW106
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
A wine is only bottled under the Waterkloof label when one of the vineyard blocks on the Schapenberg...
FBW108
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
The third release under the Waterkloof label is an elegant, northern Rhone-ish Syrah with lovely pur...
FBW102
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Seventeen years after the launch of Waterkloof Sauvignon, a second wine has finally been added to th...
FBW120
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Mourvèdre is perfect for Waterkloof, with its head in the sun and feet in the sea, and is the most ...
FBW097
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
A classic Chenin Blanc with lovely purity and balance. A wine of immediate charm but, like the great...
FBW085
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
A fine and friendly expression of the Cape’s most under-rated variety. Leading the march for Cinsa...
FBW080
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Waterkloof Sauvignon Blanc is made from two exposed blocks at the top of the Schapenberg and is only...
FBW135
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Classic Syrah, elegant and structured, distinctly northern Rhone in influence. One of South Africa's...
FBW902
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Circle of Life celebrates farming in harmony with nature, telling a story of preserving and regenera...
FBW903
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
A rewarding and satisfyingly juicy mix of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Circle of Life tells th...
FBW101
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Distinctive cool climate Cabernet Franc, classy and structured with the combination of fine black fr...
FBW095
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Mourvedre is perfect for Waterkloof, with its head in the sun and feet in the sea, so Paul Boutinot ...
FBW093
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
A succulent Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the first class vineyards of the Waterkloof estate.
FBW090
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Outstanding, cool climate Sauvignon Blanc from the slopes of the Schapenberg which combines ripe var...
FBW086
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
A rounded, forward style of Chenin Blanc from 30-40 year old bush vine vineyards on the Heldeberg, c...
FBW087
Waterkloof
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Richly-flavoured and serious Merlot with class and concentration.
We truly believe our wines are fantastic, but you already knew that – we wouldn’t …
READ THE STORY
We truly believe our wines are fantastic, but you already knew that – we wouldn’t …
READ THE STORY
We truly believe our wines are fantastic, but you already knew that – we wouldn’t …
READ THE STORY
