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Few names in South African wine carry the weight of Nederburg. Founded in 1791 when German immigrant Philippus Wolvaardt acquired 49 hectares of land in the Paarl Valley, the estate was named in honour of VOC commissioner Sebastiaan Cornelis Nederburgh -- the 'h' later dropped from the spelling to give the farm the name it bears today. The Cape Dutch manor house that Wolvaardt completed in 1800, with its distinctive thatched roof and gables, stands as a national monument -- a physical reminder that this is a place where history has been made, vintage after vintage, for more than two centuries.
The next great chapter began in 1937 when Johann Georg Graue, a viticulturist, brewer, and tea specialist, purchased the property. Graue introduced cold fermentation techniques that transformed the quality of Nederburg's wines, and by 1947 the estate had claimed seven first prizes at the Cape Wine Show. When Graue's son died tragically in a plane crash in 1955, he turned to a young winemaker of exceptional talent: Gunter Brozel. Appointed in 1956, Brozel would spend 33 years at Nederburg and become one of the most influential figures in South African wine history. It was Brozel who created Edelkeur in 1969 -- the country's first noble late harvest wine -- and who launched the inaugural Nederburg Auction of Rare Cape Wines in 1975, an event that would grow into one of the most prestigious wine auctions in the world. In 1985, Brozel became the first South African to win the International Wine & Spirit Competition's Robert Mondavi International Winemaker of the Year Award.
Today, Nederburg's cellar is led by cellar master Samuel Viljoen, a Stellenbosch University graduate who joined the team in 2007 and was appointed to the top role in 2021. Before Nederburg, Viljoen honed his craft at the acclaimed Domaine Serene in Oregon's Willamette Valley. He succeeded Andrea Freeborough, who moved on to head up winemaking across the broader Distell portfolio. Under Viljoen's stewardship, the estate continues to balance heritage with ambition, producing wines that range from the accessible Winemasters tier through the Manor House and Heritage Heroes collections to the ultra-premium Private Bin and Two Centuries pinnacle wines.
The Heritage Heroes range pays tribute to the individuals who shaped Nederburg's legacy. The Brew Master, a Bordeaux-style blend, honours Johann Graue. The Motorcycle Marvel, a Rhone-style blend, celebrates Gunter Brozel -- so named because he was known for racing his 250cc BSA motorcycle through the vineyards to keep an eye on every detail. The Anchorman, an old-vine Chenin Blanc, remembers founder Philippus Wolvaardt himself.
The Two Centuries range represents the absolute pinnacle: site-specific, limited-edition wines released only in exceptional vintages. The 2017 Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon won the IWSC Warren Winiarski Trophy for the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the world.
Visitors to Nederburg can experience the full breadth of this history firsthand. The estate offers Manor Tastings of five wines from R60 (refunded on purchases over R400) and more immersive Vault Tastings at R155 per person. A contemporary bistro with patio dining complements the cellar experience, and the estate's position on the sun-warmed slopes of Paarl, with views across the valley to the surrounding mountains, makes it one of the most visited wine farms in the region.
Contemporary winery offering cellar tours & tastings of its vintages, plus a bistro with a patio.
Samuel Viljoen has been part of the Nederburg cellar team since 2007, first as an assistant and from 2014 as winemaker of the reds. In 2021, he was appointed cellar master, taking over from Andrea Freeborough. A Stellenbosch University viticulture and oenology graduate, Viljoen previously worked at Domaine Serene in Oregon's Willamette Valley and at Goudini Winery in Rawsonville, giving him experience across both boutique and large-scale production. He oversees a portfolio spanning the Winemasters, Manor House, Heritage Heroes, Private Bin, and Two Centuries ranges.
The story of Nederburg Wines through the years
German immigrant Philippus Wolvaardt acquires 49 hectares of land in the Paarl Valley and names the property Nederburgh after VOC commissioner Sebastiaan Cornelis Nederburgh.
Wolvaardt completes the Cape Dutch manor house with its distinctive thatched roof and gables, now a declared national monument.
Viticulturist and brewer Johann Georg Graue purchases the property and introduces cold fermentation techniques, transforming the quality of Nederburg's wines.
Nederburg wins seven first prizes at the Cape Wine Show, establishing its reputation as one of the Cape's leading wine producers.
Following the death of Graue's son in a 1955 plane crash, Graue appoints the young and exceptionally talented Gunter Brozel, who will serve as cellar master for 33 years.
Gunter Brozel creates Edelkeur, South Africa's first noble late harvest wine, which becomes one of the country's most celebrated dessert wines.
The inaugural Nederburg Auction of Rare Cape Wines is held with just six participants. It grows into one of the world's most important wine auctions and South Africa's premier fine-wine sale.
Gunter Brozel becomes the first South African to win the IWSC Robert Mondavi International Winemaker of the Year Award.
Samuel Viljoen, a 14-year Nederburg veteran and Stellenbosch University graduate, is appointed cellar master, continuing the estate's tradition of long-tenured, dedicated winemaking leadership.