Eagle’s Cliff Wines

Eagle's Cliff takes its name from a pair of rare black eagles that nest in the cliffs overlooking the vineyards, but the farm's roots reach much deeper. The property between Villiersdorp and Worcester in the Breede River Valley has been in agricultural use since 1882, and it is this combination of natural drama and deep history that defines the estate today.

The modern chapter begins with Christiaan Groenewald, who founded the New Cape Wines company in 2000 and built the cellar on the family farm in 2003 after his father's death. Groenewald's path to winemaking was unconventional. He studied agriculture at Stellenbosch University, obtained an MBA, and worked as an agricultural economist and financial planner before turning to the vines. That analytical mind, combined with a genuine feel for what the Breede River Valley terroir can produce, has made him one of South Africa's most decorated winemakers.

Groenewald won the prestigious Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Award in 2013 with his Arendskloof Tannat Syrah 2011 -- a bold, unconventional blend that announced Eagle's Cliff to the national wine community. He won the award again in 2017 with his Eagle's Cliff Pinotage, making him one of only five winemakers in South Africa's history to receive the honour twice.

The estate produces wines across four ranges. The Arendskloof label is the premium tier, featuring wines of concentration and complexity intended for the connoisseur -- including the Tannat Syrah and Pinotage that won national recognition. The Eagle's Cliff range offers quality wines at accessible prices, while the Dwyka Hills and Hoeks Rivier labels provide further options. The vineyard portfolio spans full-bodied reds including Shiraz, Pinotage, and the distinctive Tannat Syrah, alongside whites such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

New Cape Wines exports to Europe, with Germany and Switzerland as primary markets. But the estate itself remains a family affair -- Christiaan lives and works on the property with his two sons, and the tasting room is open Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 15:00 and Friday from 10:00 to 14:00. A tasting costs R40 and includes two Arendskloof and two Eagle's Cliff wines.

The Breede River Valley is not the first region visitors think of when planning a wine route, but Eagle's Cliff makes a compelling case for the detour. The combination of a twice-honoured winemaker, dramatic mountain scenery, and wines that punch well above their price point makes this one of the Western Cape's genuine hidden discoveries.