Haskell Vineyards - Dombeya Wines

On an unremarkable day in 2002, an unremarkable-looking parcel of land on the slopes of the Helderberg in Stellenbosch went to auction. What American businessman Preston Haskell IV saw was anything but ordinary. The property, originally called Dombeya after the wild pear trees that dotted the landscape, had once been a simple citrus farm. But Haskell, who had first visited South Africa in 1985 and returned with his parents in 1991, recognised the potential in the granite-rich soils and cool mountain breezes of what locals call the Golden Triangle — one of the most prized sub-regions in the entire Cape Winelands.

Haskell's father had once remarked on how cheaply world-class Stellenbosch wine could be had. Preston never forgot that observation. After purchasing the farm, he set about transforming it into a wine estate with global ambitions. He planted Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay on the steep Helderberg slopes and recruited talented winemakers to match his vision.

The early cellar was guided by Rianie Strydom, a formidable figure in South African wine. Rianie earned Haskell the 'Best Upcoming Vineyard' title from Wine Magazine and became the first woman admitted to the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild. Under her stewardship, the Haskell flagship wines — Pillars Syrah, Anvil Chardonnay, and the Bordeaux-style Haskell II and Haskell IV — established the estate's reputation for concentrated, site-specific wines of genuine international stature.

When Rianie departed in 2018, Rudolph Steenkamp took over the cellar. Steenkamp brought a philosophy rooted in simplicity: farming the soil rather than the vine, and trusting the exceptional terroir to speak for itself. His approach has preserved the estate's hallmark intensity while adding layers of elegance and refinement.

Two distinct ranges emerge from the property. The Haskell wines — Pillars Syrah, Anvil Chardonnay, Haskell II, Haskell III, and Haskell IV — represent the estate's finest expressions from the best vineyard blocks. The Dombeya range, named for the original farm, was initially conceived as a second label but quickly proved strong enough to stand on its own. Its five wines — Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Boulder Road Shiraz, and the Bordeaux-style Fenix — offer approachable, fruit-forward drinking that still reflects the Helderberg's distinctive character.

The estate produces around 60,000 bottles annually, split evenly between South African sales and exports to Africa, Europe, Asia, and America. Visitors are welcomed at the tasting room on Annandale Road, where tastings of six wines from both the Haskell and Dombeya collections are offered. Private tastings and cellar tours for groups of up to twelve can be arranged by appointment. A picnic area with pizza and wine rounds out the experience, making Haskell as welcoming for a casual afternoon as it is for a serious wine pilgrimage.