Oldenburg Vineyards
is located deep in the Banghoek Valley, around eight kilometres outside Stellenbosch on the road to Franschhoek. The vineyards lie in an elevated valley surrounded by an impressive amphitheatre of mountains. At the centre of the estate rises the rounded hill Rondekop, which shapes both the landscape and the estate's wine philosophy.
The winery's more recent history began in April 2003, when Adrian Vanderspuy took over the property. This followed extensive studies of soils, sunlight, rainfall and temperatures. After a fundamental renewal of the vineyards, the first experimental Cabernet Franc was produced in 2007. It provided early confirmation of the potential of the high-altitude vineyards in the Banghoek Valley.
The vineyards lie at elevations of around 300 to 410 metres above sea level. Cooling winds, the proximity of high mountain ranges and influences from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans bring lower evening temperatures and pronounced differences between day and night. This allows the grapes to ripen more slowly and develop fruit, acidity and phenolic structure more evenly.
At Rondekop, weathered sandstone and granite alternate with iron-rich rocks and clay-rich subsoils. Some soils are very stony but can retain moisture in deeper layers. Different aspects, elevations and soil profiles make it possible to plant Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc selectively on suitable parcels.
Oldenburg combines precision viticulture with regenerative methods designed to promote soil life, biodiversity and the long-term resilience of the vineyards. An extensive replanting programme was carried out on the basis of detailed soil mapping, significantly increasing the number of individual vineyard blocks. The estate is recognised as a Conservation Champion by WWF South Africa.
The portfolio is divided into several ranges. The Oldenburg Vineyards Series includes single-varietal wines such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache Noir, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. The Rondekop Series is assembled from selected parcels and barrels. It includes the Cabernet Sauvignon Per Se, Syrah Stone Axe, the red blend Rhodium and Chardonnay Una V. With a white and a red blend, the CL Series shows the cooler, earlier-drinking side of the estate.
In the cellar, the approach is adapted to grape variety, parcel and vintage. Depending on the wine, methods include hand-harvesting, sorting of whole bunches and berries, spontaneous fermentation, proportions of whole bunches and ageing in French oak barrels of different sizes. At Vin Africa, Oldenburg wines stand for the clear fruit, firm structure and cool tension of Banghoek's high-altitude vineyards.