Diemersdal
is situated on the slopes of the Dorstberg in Durbanville north of Cape Town. The approximately 200 hectares of vineyards are farmed entirely without irrigation and rely on natural rainfall. Deep red Hutton soils from weathered granite with a high clay content are particularly distinctive. At the same time, proximity to the Atlantic, cooling fog and the persistent south-easterly wind provide moderate conditions during ripening.
The history of the estate dates back to 1698. Diemersdal has been continuously owned by the Louw family since 1885. Today, the sixth generation is already responsible for the business. In 1979, Diemersdal was officially registered as a Wine Estate and released its first wine under its own name with the Private Collection. Thys Louw joined the family business in 2006 as a representative of the sixth generation.
Sauvignon Blanc is the estate's most important grape variety and has played a major role in shaping Diemersdal's reputation. The classic Sauvignon Blanc is blended from several parcels with different clones and vine ages. In addition, the estate presents the variety in very different styles. The Eight Rows Sauvignon Blanc comes from the eight rows of vines with which Thys Louw made his first wine of his own.
Reserve, Winter Ferment, Wild Horseshoe and The Journal offer further interpretations of the same grape variety.
The Winter Ferment Sauvignon Blanc is particularly unusual. For this wine, the must is frozen after harvest and fermented only several months later during the South African winter. The Journal Sauvignon Blanc takes a different approach and is matured in oak and, in part, other fermentation vessels. The 2024 vintage consists of 97% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Sémillon and matured on the lees for eleven months after fermentation. The spectrum therefore ranges from fresh, linear Sauvignon Blancs to concentrated and structured interpretations.
Alongside Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage plays a central role. Durbanville's cool conditions give this South African variety not only dark fruit but also freshness and structure. The range extends from the classic Diemersdal Pinotage and Reserve to The Journal Pinotage, which is matured for considerably longer in French oak. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot and Malbec complete the red wine portfolio.
Diemersdal also goes beyond Sauvignon Blanc among its white varieties. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Rosé and Grüner Veltliner are part of the current portfolio. Diemersdal was the first South African producer to make a wine from Grüner Veltliner. The range also includes a Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs made from Chardonnay from a certified heritage vineyard planted in 1987.
Dry farming remains an essential part of the estate today. Cover crops are used between the vine rows, and a 16.8-hectare area of Swartland Shale Renosterveld is preserved as natural habitat. Diemersdal was also the first winery in Durbanville to achieve WWF Conservation Champion status. At Vin Africa, Diemersdal therefore stands particularly for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage from the cool, Atlantic-influenced north of Cape Town.