“We have been calling Steilpad Farm home since 1960, making me the 4^th generation farmer on the property. Vineyards have always been our main focus. My father and forefathers were and still are excellent farmers and they know the soil and a vineyard plant like the palm of their hand, but never have we had the privilege to capture the blood sweat and tears that they’ve put into this area and vineyards over the years, in a bottle. This is my objective and what I am motivated to explore.

My winemaking journey has led me to international and national expeditions to the point where I’ve finally found myself in a community called Paardeberg in the Swartland. In the Paardeberg I’ve set out roots for five years, I’ve became part of the great Swartland viticulture & wine community. The character of the mountain and its people living here is unique, it is a very thankful area that is grateful with very little, the nature and friends living there. This is one of the harshest and most challenging areas I’ve worked with vineyards and made wine from them, the Swartland is blessed with plenty of sunshine, low rainfall, granite soils with low water retention and isolation. Even though if you learn to understand this area, it’s one of the nicest places to farm and make wine.

My first release is a wine inspired by the Swartland, the wine is a Chenin Blanc made from old vineyards from the Paardeberg.  For me this is the cultivar that made this region and being a great ambassador of showcasing what the area is made off.

My winemaking philosophy remains the same for those who have followed me, the vineyard is the main priority and the objective is to farm the vineyards to its best potential in order to assure healthy and quality grapes come into the cellar. In the cellar I keep it old school with a minimalistic approach in which the identity of the vineyards can be celebrated.” – Jorrie Du Plessis