Wamakersvallei

Wamakersvallei Winery is undeniably a New World leader in the production of ultra-premium red wines. The phenomenal accolades garnered by its flagship La Cave range substantiate this claim. Of these, the absolute highlight has been the La Cave Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 being judged Best Cabernet Sauvignon in the world at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London in 2003 - an honour bestowed upon only a handful of producers worldwide, and testimony to the ability of Wellington terroir to gently forge the world's most memorable wines.

Sun-drenched pockets of fruit are tenderly harvested from a number of vineyards spanning a diverse and unique range of mesoclimates in Riebeek-West, Wellington and towards Paarl. These sites are arguably Wamakersvallei's most precious assets, and the secret to its astounding success - a belief that finds application in the practice of fastidious viticulture in all the winery's vineyards. Up-and-coming plantings of Viognier, Malbec, Mourvedré, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc make for an exciting future at Wamakersvallei and equally exciting wines.

The philosophy underscoring Wamakersvallei's wines is personified in their custodian, winemaker Bennie Wannenburg. A man known to delight in the art and soul of fine winemaking, Bennie subscribes to the sacredness of nature and its produce, and, it follows, minimal man-made intervention in the cellar.

The La Cave wines are named after Wamakersvallei's rustic underground cellar where they are unhurriedly matured in small wooden casks. With its candlelit recesses, romantic ambience and receding stone arches, the La Cave cellar is reminiscent of the traditional French château tradition of wine cellaring.

Recent accolades include:

Veritas 2004
Double Gold - La Cave Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Double Gold - La Cave Pinotage 2003

ABSA Top Ten Pinotage 2004
La Cave Pinotage 2003

Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2004
Gold - La Cave Pinotage 2002
Gold - La Cave Merlot 2002

International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK) 2003
Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy for La Cave Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Fairbairn Capital Wine Trophy Show 2003
"Top 100" status for La Cave Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 and La Cave Pinotage 2001

Wamakersvallei also offers the Bain's Way range of single-varietal wines, both red and white, produced as a tribute to Scottish-born immigrant Andrew Geddes Bain. Colloquially known as 'the Prince of Road Makers', he is remembered for conquering many of the Western Cape's treacherous mountains that made the country's interior virtually impenetrable. Mr. Bain is immortalized in Wellington especially as the creator of 'The Gateway to the North' through Bain's Kloof, the very slopes of which nurture the vineyards from which Bain's Way is produced.

The Bain's Way range consists of fruit-driven wines - well rounded and distinctly South African - at unmatched value for money.

Wamakersvallei Winery is easily accessible from the R44 and welcomes visitors.
Wine tasting and cellar tours:
Contact details:
Wamakersvallei Winery
Wellington
Tel. Int + 21 873-1582

PO Box 509
Wellington
7654