Longridge Wine Estate

On the southern slopes of the Helderberg, where decomposed granite soils rank among the oldest viticultural earth on the planet, Longridge Wine Estate occupies a site of quiet grandeur. The estate's position, looking out across False Bay to Table Mountain, catches the cool afternoon breezes off the Atlantic and the cold night air that flows down from the mountain -- conditions that slow ripening, preserve natural acidity, and give Longridge wines their distinctive tension and freshness.

The estate's modern chapter began in 2011 when winemaker Jasper Raats arrived with a clear philosophy: organic and biodynamic farming, native yeast fermentation, no commercial enzymes or fining agents, and minimal intervention in the cellar. Raats had already earned a reputation for pushing boundaries, and at Longridge he found the terroir to match his ambition. The vineyard sits on what he calls Grand Cru-quality soil, and every block is farmed by hand. No pesticides, no herbicides, no chemical sprays -- just farm-produced compost, biodynamic preparations, and patience.

The results have been striking. The Clos du Ciel Chardonnay, planted nearly thirty years ago by legendary wine writer John Platter on the higher slopes, has earned five stars in the Platter's Wine Guide and was named Chardonnay of the Year by Tim Atkin MW with 95 points. The name means 'Heavenly Vineyard,' and the wine's bone-dry, savoury complexity justifies it. The Maandans Pinotage, from a 45-year-old heritage bush vine block yielding barely a ton per hectare, scored 95 from Tim Atkin MW and was named Best Pinotage. The Misterie, a single-vineyard Merlot that spends two years in barrel and another two in bottle before release, draws comparisons to Bordeaux's Pomerol and has won Platinum at the SA Wine Awards.

Raats is joined by assistant winemaker Hendrien de Munck, and together they produce a range that spans three tiers. The Konkelberg wines -- named after a mountain corner where early Cape settlers traded in secret -- offer accessible, everyday drinking. The Longridge estate range delivers serious, terroir-driven Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more. The Jasper Raats personal-label wines and Ultra-Premium range represent the pinnacle: single-vineyard, small-batch wines of remarkable concentration and finesse.

Beyond the cellar, the estate has become a destination in its own right. Rykaart's restaurant, run by husband-and-wife team Alex and Ella Rykaart, earned a star at the Eat Out Awards in its opening year. The concept is family-style: a set three-course menu that changes with the seasons, prepared from biodynamic produce grown on the estate and surrounding farms. The restaurant serves lunch Wednesday through Sunday and dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. Manor@Longridge, a seven-bedroom Cape Dutch homestead set among working vineyards, offers exclusive-use accommodation with panoramic views, an infinity pool, and herb gardens.

Longridge also holds Organic accreditation from the WWF, and the estate is a certified member of the SA Old Vine Project for its heritage Chenin Blanc block planted in 1981. A Wine Club gives members 10 per cent off all wines, early access to new vintages, and invitations to exclusive events including winemaker pairing dinners. The annual Langtafel harvest celebration, a four-course dinner under the stars, has become one of the most sought-after tickets in Stellenbosch.