Cellar & Vineyards
Onderkloof’s vineyards have all been replanted over a period of 11 years from 1989 until 2000 and cover a total area of 12 hectare. The white cultivars include Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Muscat d’Alexandrie. The red varieties are Shiraz, Pinotage, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
We have a cool area and harvest on the Schapenberg’s southerly slopes is up to two weeks later than harvest in Stellenbosch normally occurs. All the grapes are selected and handpicked for vinification. No irrigation takes place and naturally low yields ensure quality grapes.
The unique terroir of the vineyards on Onderkloof is greatly influenced by the cool maritime breeze of False Bay. The Southerly aspect of the vines on steep gradients varying from 8% - 20% and the vineyards’ sea-facing aspect ensure maximum benefit from the cool sea breeze.
At the highest point the vineyards are only 250 meters above sea level and 6 kilometers from the beaches of False Bay on the cool South Atlantic Ocean. The average rainfall is 700mm per annum.
There are five structural types of soil. These are low vigour, stony, clay rich, well drained and deep. The dominant characteristic of the soil on Onderkloof is stony or gravelly with good water retention capacities. The five structural types of soil are Oakleaf and clovelly, which covers 50% of the vineyards. The remaining 50% consists of 35% Pinedene, 10% Avalon and 5% Sterkspruit.
The old stable and shed have been converted into a wine cellar featuring the latest wine technology and equipment. All the grapes on the farm are vinified at the cellar. The traditional vinification and gentle handling of grapes give expression to the concentrated and individual wines of Onderkloof.
Our cellar has a tank capacity of 280’000 liters and comprises a barrel cellar for the maturation of the red wines. Our wines are all bottled and labeled at the Cellar.
