Thelema Mountain Vineyards on the Simonsberg
is located at the upper Helshoogte Pass on the south-eastern side of the Simonsberg near Stellenbosch. The vineyards are situated on predominantly south-facing slopes and reach elevations of around 530 metres. This makes Thelema one of Stellenbosch's higher-lying estates. The altitude, cooler conditions and deep red soils provide particularly good conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
The winery's modern history began in 1983 with Gyles Webb. He had originally worked as an accountant before an encounter with a Puligny-Montrachet inspired him to devote himself entirely to wine. Together with his wife and her family, he bought the farm, restored the manor house and planted new vineyards. The first wines under the Thelema name appeared in 1988. By the mid-1990s, the wines were regularly sold out shortly after release.
The soils play an important role in the estate's style. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in particular grow on Hutton soils derived from weathered granite. The combination of good drainage, clay components and elevation supports slow ripening and pronounced structure. The current Chardonnay parcels include plantings from 1989, 2000 and 2009. The wine is fermented in French oak barrels and then matured for several months in oak.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of Thelema's defining wines. The grapes also come from high-altitude granite soils on Simonsberg. The style combines dark blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with spicy, herbal and sometimes coffee-accented notes, together with a firm tannin structure. Thelema has thus made an important contribution to raising the international profile of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon.
Alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, the Thelema range includes Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Merlot, Shiraz, Grenache and various red and white blends. Cap Classique has also become part of the portfolio. Wine production generally follows a restrained approach designed to preserve the characteristics of the individual vineyards as clearly as possible.
The family also owns Sutherland Vineyards in Elgin. Gyles Webb acquired the farm there in 2002 specifically to produce wines from a significantly cooler climate. Sutherland should, however, be understood as a separate range and not equated with the Thelema wines from Simonsberg. The Elgin wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Grenache and Syrah, among others.
Thelema therefore combines a comparatively recent success story with a highly distinctive site. High-altitude vineyards, predominantly south-facing, weathered granite and Simonsberg shape Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay in particular. At Vin Africa, Thelema is one of the well-known Stellenbosch producers whose wines combine origin, structure and clear varietal character.