Eikendal Vineyards on the Helderberg
is located on the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West at the foot of the Helderberg. The vineyards benefit from their proximity to False Bay. Cool sea air reaches the slopes especially in the afternoon and moderates summer temperatures. This allows the grapes to ripen more slowly and preserve their natural acidity. The site therefore combines Stellenbosch's warm climate with a clearly noticeable maritime influence.
The modern history of Eikendal began in 1981. In that year, the Swiss Saager family acquired two neighbouring farms called Longridge and Mietjiesvlei and combined them to form Eikendal Vineyards. The existing vineyards were restructured and a modern cellar was built. The approximately 76-hectare property remains in the ownership of the Saager family today.
The soils vary considerably within the estate. In the higher-lying Chardonnay parcels, weathered granite, gravel and white clay dominate. Other vineyards contain sandstone or iron-rich Koffieklip soils with deeper clay layers. These differences are deliberately used when selecting grape varieties and vineyard parcels. The higher vineyards in particular are directly exposed to the cool south-easterly winds from False Bay.
Chardonnay is one of Eikendal's defining grape varieties. The classic Eikendal Chardonnay comes from high-lying parcels on the Helderberg and is partly matured in French oak. Janina Unwooded Chardonnay, by contrast, offers a deliberately fresher interpretation without traditional barrel ageing. It is made from different Chardonnay clones grown on vineyards of weathered granite and Table Mountain sandstone.
Among the red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc take centre stage. They also form the basis of Classique, the estate's Bordeaux-inspired blend. The corresponding vineyards lie on the south-eastern slopes of the estate and grow on soils including weathered Koffieklip. The portfolio is complemented by other red varieties and various smaller-production bottlings.
Eikendal does not, however, work exclusively with grapes from its own Stellenbosch site. Sauvignon Blanc is an important example. The grapes currently come from a selected parcel in the significantly cooler Elgin Valley at an elevation of around 350 metres. This shows that at Eikendal a distinction should be made between the location of the winery and the actual origin of individual wines.
Eikendal therefore combines a distinctive Helderberg location with Swiss family history and a particularly close relationship with Chardonnay and classic Bordeaux varieties. At Vin Africa, Eikendal stands for elegant Stellenbosch wines in which granite soils, elevation and the cooling proximity of False Bay play an important role.