About us
Our Story
Situated on the Welmoed farm, one of the first proclaimed farms in the Stellenbosch district that dates back to 1690, Stellenbosch Vineyards is a leading wine producer and exporter that’s passionate about wine, committed to our partnerships and proud of our rich heritage. Celebrated internationally for our exceptional brands and pioneering performance, we work in partnership with our customers to produce innovative, branded and private label products. Exporting 85% of our products, we serve a selection of customers within the FMCG and wine sales sector.
Stellenbosch Vineyards is now entering a new and exciting period in our journey to celebrate our deep heritage. Our strategic intent and brand promise is reflected in our updated corporate identity and reestablished Stellenbosch Vineyards Collection of Fine Wines.
Our Philosophy
THE STELLENBOSCH VINEYARDS PHILOSOPHY IS MODEST AND UNCOMPLICATED.
01
WINES OF GREAT EXCELLENCE
We work hand-in-hand with our dedicated viticulturist and elite group of grape growers as we source fruit from the best vineyards to produce wines that are of great excellence.
02
DEVOTION, PASSION & CRAFT
Our minimalist approach alongside our devotion, passion and gentle manner in crafting our wines enables the wine and the vineyard to express their true potential.
03
FOCUSSED ON QUALITY
A big focus on quality forms part of our winemaking process and so do not release a wine if we do not believe that it meets our stringent quality standards.
Our History
Stellenbosch Vineyards has been driven by the pride, passion and pioneering spirit of our people. From the beginning in 1690 to today, the merging of science, intuition and innovation have steered Stellenbosch Vineyards to the success that we celebrate today.
• 1690
Van der Stel of the VOC (Dutch East India Company) granted the Welmoed farm to its first owner, Henning Huysing.
• 1696
The farm was transferred to Jakobus van der Heyden, a friend of Huysing’s, who later on rebelled against the corrupt practices of the governer at the time, Adriaan van der Stel.
• 1779
Welmoed was acquired by Pieter Gerhard van der Bijl, who increased its size by means of a large quitrent addition. His family was also largely responsible for the construction of the buildings such as the old cellar, graveyard and a number of the buildings on the farm.
• 1831
The farm was divided between the three van der Bijl sons, of which Pieter Voltelen van der Bijl received the present Welmoed farm and Philippus Johannes van der Bijl received the present Klein Welmoed farm.
• 1917
The Welmoed farm was sold to Rudolph Levin Kramer, owner of The Castle of Wine and Brandy Company, who produced wines on the farm to be sold on the reef. Thereafter, the Kramer family offered a sectioned area of the farm, including the cellar and buildings to the surrounding producer-farmers, whereby they could establish a Wine Cooperative.
• 1941
The Castle of Wine and Brandy Company sold the land to eight farmers in the area, whereby they established the Welmoed Koörporatiewe Wynkelders Beperk.
• 2004
2004 saw the merger of Stellenbosch Vineyards and Vinfruco, which led to the establishment of The Company of Wine People.
• 2013
The Company of Wine People reestablished itself as Stellenbosch Vineyards with a new corporate identity.
• 2016
Stellenbosch Vineyards unveils its new corporate identity alongside its reestablished Stellenbosch Vineyards Collection of Fine Wines.
• July 2018
AdVini acquired a majority share in Stellenbosch Vineyards, the torch-bearing winery of South Africa’s premium wine route.
• Oct 2018
Stellenbosch Vineyards suffered a significant tragedy on 23 October 2018 when a fire broke out in the original
5000m2 warehouse storing just over three million bottles of wine.
• March 2020
On 5 March 2020, Stellenbosch Vineyards inaugurated their brand-new Logistics Hub after the devastating fire in 2018. The facilities were officially opened by Doug Smollan (Stellenbosch Vineyards shareholder), Antoine Leccia (Advini President) and Aurélien Lechevallier (French Ambassador to South Africa).
Our Business responsibility
Stellenbosch Vineyards holds membership to the SA Liquor Bottlers Association (SALBA), Agricultural Ethical Trade Initiative (WIETA) and Wines of South Africa (WOSA). We are also members of the Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA) and we subscribe to their Code of Commercial Communication. The cellar follows the integrated production of wine (IPW) criteria and is Fairtrade certified.
