Linton Park Wines

The story of Linton Park begins with a deed dated 28 February 1699, when Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel granted the farm De Slange Rivier to Louis Fourie, a French Huguenot settler who had fled religious persecution in Europe to build a new life at the foot of the Hawequa Mountains. Fourie named the property after the winding stream — Snake River, or Slangrivier — that still flows down the mountainside through the farm. He was among the first to plant vineyards in what is now the Wellington wine district, and was highly regarded for his pioneering winemaking in the region.

For nearly three centuries the farm passed through successive owners, each leaving their mark on the agricultural landscape. The most enduring architectural legacy is the graceful single-storey gabled Cape Dutch Manor House, built in 1809 with construction details that reflect the distinctive flair of early nineteenth-century Cape design. The homestead stands today as a monument to the farm's proud viticultural heritage, its interior housing a collection of period art and antique furniture — including the original 1699 deed of grant.

The modern chapter of Linton Park opened in 1995, when UK-based multinational Camellia Plc acquired the property. Camellia, a global agricultural group listed on the London Stock Exchange, undertook an extensive restoration of the Manor House and invested in replanting the vineyards to modern standards. Approximately 84 hectares were established under vine, planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Malbec — varieties selected to match the warm Wellington terroir, tempered by cooling afternoon breezes from the Slangrivier valley.

Under winemaker JG Auret, Linton Park developed a structured portfolio. The flagship Louis Fourie 1699 range honours the farm's Huguenot founder with wines built for cellaring. The Linton Park Estate Range delivers varietal expression from the home vineyards. The Reserve tier selects the finest parcels for limited-release bottlings. And the Rhino Range, named for the estate's conservation commitment, provides accessible everyday drinking.

Linton Park earned recognition at the International Wine & Spirit Competition and attracted a loyal following for its Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. The estate became known for its pizza-and-wine afternoons, pairing wood-fired pizzas with estate Cap Classique in the shadow of the mountains — an experience that drew both locals and visitors to this quieter corner of the Wellington wine route.

The Slangrivier valley setting remains one of the most scenic in Wellington, framed by mountain peaks and rows of vines stretching toward the historic Manor House. Whether the estate's tasting room is operating at full capacity or in a transitional period, the wines continue to be distributed through South African retail channels and international markets. Linton Park stands as proof that a farm first planted by a Huguenot refugee in 1699 can still speak with relevance and character more than three centuries later.