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Meet the Makers
The Banhoek Wine Club is a collective of passionate winemakers and wineries from the Banhoek Valley, united by a shared vision: to showcase the Banhoek valley's world-class wines to an international audience in a way that benefits our valley, winemakers, and wine enthusiasts.
Rainbow's End Wine Estate
Rainbow’s End is a family-run estate nestled on high-lying slopes reaching 540m above sea level, backed by the Jonkershoek Mountain and overlooking the fertile Banhoek basin. The Malan family — Jacques and his sons Anton and Francois—combine traditional winemaking with modern viticulture to bring out the best in their unique terroir. Grapes are hand-harvested at dawn, sorted meticulously, and gently processed to preserve delicate flavours.
Winemaker Anton Malan embraces each vintage’s individuality, crafting wines that reflect the season’s character rather than conform to a set style. Cold maceration and open fermentation, aided by a natural mountain spring, ensure optimal flavour and colour extraction. After fermentation, wines undergo malolactic fermentation and age for at least 12 months in French oak barrels, with minimal sulphite use and no filtering, resulting in complex, balanced wines with excellent ageing potential.
The estate’s label features artwork by Marieke Kruger, daughter of Jacques and Ingrid Malan, illustrating Bullerskop — a distinctive peak in the Groot Drakenstein mountains — beneath a rainbow, a frequent and symbolic sight on the farm. This connection to place and family is woven through every bottle of Rainbow’s End wine.
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
When Gyles Webb left a career in accounting to become a winemaker, he was drawn to the untapped potential of a quiet valley in the mountains above Stellenbosch. In 1983, with help from his wife’s family, the McLeans, he bought what would become Thelema. Back then, Banhoek wasn’t known for wine — it was better known for its plum orchards, and most didn’t see it as a viable site for vineyards. But the Webbs saw something different: a great piece of farming land with cool slopes, well-drained soils, and serious potential.
The first wines under the Thelema label were released in 1988. By the mid-1990s, they were selling out within a month of release, and the estate quickly earned a reputation for quality and consistency. Today, Thelema remains family-owned and quality-focused, with a long-standing belief in farming for site expression, not scale.
In 2002, the Webbs expanded into Elgin with the purchase of a second farm, where the cooler climate and rolling landscape provide a contrast to the Banhoek wines. Across both properties, Thelema’s commitment to making expressive, honest wines — rooted in place — remains unchanged.
Vuurberg Wines
Vuurberg Wines is situated on the eastern slopes of the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch, just above the Helshoogte Pass. Owned by Dutch entrepreneur Sebastiaan Klaassen, the farm was originally chosen more for lifestyle than location, but has evolved into a respected boutique wine producer since its first vintage in 2003.
Winemaker Donovan Rall crafts Vuurberg’s wines using a traditional approach, combining fruit from both estate vineyards and carefully selected parcels from Stellenbosch, Swartland, Voor-Paardeberg, and Darling. This multi-regional sourcing allows for wines with bold character and elegant balance.
The Vuurberg White blends Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Semillon, while the Reserve Red features estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and early-picked whole-bunch Cinsault, all vinified with respect for tradition and minimal intervention.
Sebastiaan Klaassen splits his time between the farm and abroad but remains deeply committed to Banhoek’s future. He advocates for protecting the area’s natural beauty, encouraging sustainable tourism, and preserving the mountain trails and landscapes that make Banhoek special.
Miles Mossop Wines
Miles Mossop Wines is the passionate, boutique label of winemaker Miles Mossop, deeply rooted in the Banhoek Valley where he has lived and worked for over 25 years. Known for a non-interventionist approach, Miles crafts wines that showcase purity, finesse, and balance, often blending fruit from Banhoek and neighbouring regions. His Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc stand out for their intense red and black fruit notes, herbal lifts, fine tannins, and refreshing acidity.
Miles believes terroir and meticulous vineyard management are key, especially in Banhoek’s fertile soils, where controlling vigorous growth is essential to quality. While the Banhoek name isn’t widely known among consumers yet, Miles is committed to producing wines that speak for themselves, free from unnecessary hype.
Beyond winemaking, Miles is an advocate for conserving Banhoek’s natural beauty, pushing for the removal of invasive alien plants and protecting the valley’s wild heritage, home to elusive Cape leopards. True to his down-to-earth philosophy, Miles says, “The best glass of wine in the world is the one in front of you,” reminding us that enjoyment comes first.
Hogan
Wines
Hogan Wines is a small, family-run winery based in the Banhoek Valley, with Jocelyn Hogan Wilson as winemaker. Established in 2014, the business brings together Jocelyn’s training in viticulture and oenology, her love of plants and soil, and a deep respect for place. After working harvests locally and abroad, she returned home to start something of her own — teaming up with her family to create wines that are thoughtful, elegant, and site-specific.
Although grapes are sourced from carefully selected sites across the Western Cape, all the winemaking happens in the Banhoek Valley. Jocelyn focuses on older vines — those with deep roots, gnarled trunks, and lower yields — believing they tell the clearest story of each vintage. Minimal intervention and gentle handling in the cellar allow that story to come through in the bottle.
Jocelyn lives on Dwarsriviershoek Farm in Banhoek with her husband and children, where they also farm proteas, plums, pears, and apples. The setting reflects her broader approach to winemaking: rooted in nature, family, and a long-term connection to the land.
Le Pommier
Le Pommier is a relaxed, family-run wine farm on the Helshoogte Pass with roots that reach deep into the Banhoek Valley’s past. Once part of the historic Zorgvliet estate, the land was known for pigs and apples before its reinvention as a wine and hospitality destination. Today, it’s owned and run by Johan and Melanie van Schalkwyk, who are continuing a family legacy started by Melanie’s father, Mac van der Merwe.
The wines at Le Pommier are intentionally crafted to be unpretentious and full of character—just like the farm itself. Their Malbec is the only 100% Malbec made in the Banhoek, while their Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay from nearby Summercourt reflect the freshness and finesse the valley’s cool climate offers.
Le Pommier blends wine with warm hospitality: there's a restaurant (once a 1916 chicken shed), a mix of guest suites and country rooms, and a striking barn-style venue for weddings and events. Through it all, the estate champions authenticity, sustainability, and a sense of place. From vineyard to glass, Le Pommier is about real wine made by real people in a valley that’s both storied and serene.
Tokara
Tokara is located at the top of the Helshoogte Pass on the Stellenbosch side of the Banhoek Valley, between 350 and 550 metres above sea level. The farm straddles the watershed between two valleys, with the Simonsberg mountain forming a dramatic backdrop and playing a central role in shaping the estate’s unique terroir. The soils — a mix of weathered sandstone and decomposed granite — contribute structure, perfume and longevity to the wines.
Over time, the team has come to know the vineyards well, identifying parcels that consistently produce exceptional grapes. These are harvested and vinified in small batches, then blended with care to create wines that reflect both place and vintage. Tokara’s Banhoek vineyards are particularly well suited to Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, while the estate also farms in Elgin, where cooler conditions and sandstone soils bring a lifted character to Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
While wine is the focus, Tokara is also committed to protecting the surrounding natural environment and honouring the valley’s broader heritage — including the nearby communities of Pniel and Johannesdal, whose stories are part of the fabric of the Banhoek.
Delaire Graff Estate
Perched high on the Helshoogte Pass with sweeping views over the Banhoek Valley, Delaire Graff Estate is known not only for its fine wines but also for its carefully curated gardens, art, and warm hospitality. While the estate has become a destination in its own right, the foundation remains firmly rooted in the vineyards and the wines they produce.
The team’s approach to winemaking is thoughtful and detail-driven, with a focus on site expression and restraint. Modern cellar technology supports a style that aims for balance and subtlety, allowing the characteristics of each vintage to come through clearly.
The estate’s location — between 350m and 550m above sea
level — offers ideal conditions for growing a range of varieties, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.
Visitors to the estate can explore not only the vineyards but also landscaped gardens dotted with contemporary African sculpture, two restaurants offering seasonal menus, and a small collection of lodges that reflect the surrounding beauty. It’s a place where wine is part of a larger expression of Cape elegance, art, and landscape, with the Banhoek Valley at the heart of it all.
Zevenwacht
Zevenwacht is a family-owned estate situated on the Stellenbosch Wine Route, with a winemaking legacy rooted deep in South Africa’s historic soil. The estate draws on the strengths of two distinctive vineyard sites—Polkadraai Hills and Banhoek Valley. While Polkadraai offers finesse and aromatic purity, Banhoek brings power, colour, and structure, particularly to their Bordeaux-style reds.
Although they don’t yet bottle a single-origin Banhoek wine, the team—led by Cellar Master Hagen Viljoen, whose experience spans both new- and old-world regions—is excited about the potential. Banhoek’s grapes offer great tannin development and vivid colour, though working the vineyards isn’t without its challenges, from fierce winds to curious baboons.
Zevenwacht’s wines are shaped by this unique interplay between sites. The blending of Banhoek’s strength with Polkadraai’s elegance creates balance and complexity across the range. The estate is also committed to sustainability, with a focus on clearing invasive plant species and protecting native wildlife habitats.
Looking ahead, Zevenwacht sees opportunities in better promoting Banhoek’s history and agritourism potential, adding depth to a valley already known for its beauty and wine quality.
Clouds Estate
Set at the crest of the Helshoogte Pass, Clouds Estate is a boutique wine farm with a clear intention: to produce a small range of wines that reflect both their terroir and the owners’ taste. The estate’s elevation and spectacular outlook over the Banhoek Valley weren’t just bonuses—they were part of the draw. From the start, the plan was to keep things small, focused, and of exceptional quality.
The vineyards, influenced by Banhoek’s cool mountain air and fertile soils, yield vibrant, structured wines—elegant reds and Chardonnays with subtlety and finesse. Sustainability practices are thoughtfully integrated, from using straw to combat erosion in winter to introducing beneficial insects in spring to manage pests naturally.
While the Clouds range is compact, it’s distinctive, like their flagship red blend, which began almost by accident in 2016 when all the components were co-fermented due to a small harvest. The result was so good, they’ve made it that way ever since.
Though Banhoek’s rich history is still being uncovered and its agritourism offering is less publicised than other Stellenbosch areas, estates like Clouds are helping put it on the map—quietly, beautifully, and with intention.
Capensis
Capensis Wines is known for producing exceptional Chardonnay in the Banhoek Valley, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Their Fijnbosch estate vineyard, planted exclusively with Chardonnay, is situated at one of the highest altitudes in Stellenbosch on the Groot Drakenstein mountains, giving the grapes a distinctive cool-climate character.
Winemaker Graham Weerts brings extensive international experience from South Africa, Bordeaux, and California, combining traditional and modern winemaking methods. Returning to his roots, Graham focuses on crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of each vintage.
Farm and vineyard manager Cedrick Delport has worked tirelessly to restore biodiversity across the estate’s 49 hectares, surrounding the Chardonnay vineyard with indigenous flora and cultivating fruits and vegetables to support farm staff and local feeding programs.
Together, they create elegant, site-specific Chardonnays that express the cool climate and distinctive soils of the Banhoek Valley, capturing the essence of this unique high-altitude vineyard.
Grondpad Wines
Grondpad — Afrikaans for “Gravel Road” — invites you to slow down and savour life’s journey. Founded in the Banhoek Valley, Grondpad reflects the spirit of a road less travelled, rich with stories of challenge and reward.
Winemaker Bennie Booysen draws on his Karoo roots and cycling adventures to craft wines that embody authenticity and patience. The cool Banhoek climate allows Shiraz grapes to ripen slowly, developing full phenolic maturity while preserving bright fruit characters.
Fermented and aged for 18 months in older 225-litre barrels, the wine reveals deep plum and stewed prune aromas layered with mint chocolate and tobacco nuances. The palate is smoky and spicy, with structured, well-integrated tannins and a lingering finish.
Like the gravel road it’s named after, Grondpad Shiraz is robust yet elegant — a big wine to enjoy with good friends and great food. After bottling, it matures for a further 12 months, allowing secondary flavours to unfold fully.
Grondpad is a no-nonsense, honest wine that captures the essence of its terroir — slow, steady, and made to be savoured.
Camberley Wines
Camberley Wines is a small, family-run boutique winery nestled on the scenic slopes of Helshoogte beneath the Groot Drakenstein Mountains, between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, South Africa. Owned and operated by Johnny and Gael Nel, the estate spans just five acres and produces around 1,000 cases annually, focusing on handcrafted, elegant red wines.
Originally a plum farm, the property was converted to vineyards with its first vintage in 1995 and commercial production beginning in 1996. Camberley is best known for its flagship Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend, alongside Shiraz, rare single-varietal Cabernet Franc, and unique offerings like Sparkling Shiraz MCC and Pinotage. The winery was also one of the first in the region to use screw caps, notably on their popular “Prohibition” wines.
Visitors enjoy a warm, intimate tasting experience often described as relaxing in the winemaker’s living room, set against the backdrop of a beautiful rose garden and breathtaking mountain views. With its focus on small-batch quality and personal hospitality, Camberley Wines is a beloved gem in the Stellenbosch winelands.
Alluvia Boutique Winery
Alluvia Boutique Winery, nestled in Stellenbosch's picturesque Banhoek Valley, is known for its world-class wines and luxurious accommodations.
The winery's name, derived from "alluvial," reflects its deep connection to the unique soil composition of the area, rich in Table Mountain Sandstone and Granite. This terroir, combined with a commitment to challenging traditional winemaking, has earned Alluvia numerous accolades, including awards for their Cabernet Sauvignon.
Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, dine at their bistro-style restaurant with stunning views, and relax at the spa. Alluvia also offers luxury accommodation and hosts weddings and events.