The modern history of the winery began in 1964, when Stan and Norma Ratcliffe took over what was then a fruit farm. Norma Ratcliffe learned winemaking and released the first wine under the Warwick name in 1984, La Femme Bleue Cabernet Sauvignon. She was one of the women who had a lasting influence on South African wine at a time when the industry was still largely male-dominated. Today's First Lady range commemorates her role in the development of the estate.

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The vineyards are planted with nine grape varieties, with red varieties accounting for around two thirds of the vineyard area. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most important variety, followed by Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. They are complemented by Merlot, Pinotage, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, among others, including older Chenin Blanc vineyards.

Many of the soils have a high clay content and can retain moisture during the dry summer months. Depending on the parcel, there are also gravelly areas and loamy clay soils. More vigorous grape varieties are deliberately planted on poorer sites, while altitude, slope orientation and soil structure are taken into account when selecting individual vineyard blocks.

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The estate's best-known wine is Warwick Trilogy. Norma Ratcliffe first created the Bordeaux blend in 1986 from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The exact composition changes with the vintage. In more recent bottlings, Cabernet Franc often plays a defining role, combining dark fruit and spicy aromas with fine tannins and good ageing potential.

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The premium range also includes a single-varietal Cabernet Franc, The Blue Lady Cabernet Sauvignon, The White Lady Chardonnay and a Chenin Blanc from old vines. The First Lady range offers more approachable wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Rosé and Cap Classique. Three Cape Ladies combines Pinotage with classic Bordeaux varieties, presenting a distinctive South African interpretation of a red blend.

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Warwick combines the history of a traditional Stellenbosch estate with a clear focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and characterful blends. At Vin Africa you will find both the well-known wines of the First Lady range and structured bottlings such as Trilogy, Blue Lady and the single-varietal Cabernet Franc from the Simonsberg.