Lemberg Wine Estate

In the shadow of the Witzenberg and Winterhoek mountains, five kilometres south of the historic town of Tulbagh, Lemberg Wine Estate has been writing one of the more unlikely chapters in South African wine. It began in 1978 when the celebrated winemaker Janey Muller planted the first Sauvignon Blanc vines on a small property she named after Lemberg, Poland — now Lviv, Ukraine — the birthplace of her husband. Muller was a pioneer. She was among the first in the region to plant Sauvignon Blanc, and in 1984 she released the first Hárslevelü in South Africa, a Hungarian white grape variety virtually unknown in the Cape. Once described as the smallest winery in South Africa, Lemberg quickly punched well above its weight.

New owners Klaus and Uschi Schindler arrived from Germany in 1994, expanding the property with a new wine cellar, additional vine plantings, and a charming rondavel guesthouse. Their stewardship brought fresh investment, but the soul of the estate — its pioneering spirit and devotion to unusual varietals — remained intact.

The current chapter began in 2007, when the estate was acquired by its present owners. Under the guidance of Henk du Bruyn and Suzette Jansen van Rensburg, Lemberg has been transformed from a curiosity into a serious boutique producer. Production capacity expanded to 100 tons, and new plantings of Pinot Noir, Grenache Noir, Pinotage, and Syrah joined the original Sauvignon Blanc, while Viognier and the signature Hárslevelü round out the white portfolio. In 2011, talented young winemaker David Sadie joined the team, bringing a sharp palate and modern cellar technique.

Lemberg's premium wines are each named after a beloved dog. Spencer is a Pinotage, Lady a Hárslevelü and Viognier blend, Nelson a Syrah, Louis a Rhône blend, Ella a Grenache Noir, and Rose a Blanc de Noir. It is an endearing naming convention that reflects the estate's warmth and character.

The tasting room sits among vineyards with uninterrupted views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Visitors can stay overnight in the guesthouse, making Lemberg one of the few Tulbagh wine estates offering accommodation on the property. The estate also hosts events and private functions in its intimate cellar setting.

The Tulbagh valley itself is one of the Cape's most scenic wine regions, ringed by dramatic mountain peaks and dotted with historic Cape Dutch homesteads. Lemberg sits at the quieter, southern end of the valley, away from the busier main road.

Lemberg remains a labour of love — a boutique estate where rare varietals, mountain terroir, and the patience of a small, dedicated team come together in wines that consistently surprise and delight.