Olifantsberg Wines

Olifantsberg sits on the slopes of the Brandwacht Mountains overlooking the Breedekloof Valley, a quiet corner of the Western Cape that is rapidly gaining recognition as one of South Africa's most exciting wine regions. The Dutch Leeuwerik family -- Paul and Corine -- acquired the property in 2003, drawn by the ancient soils and the untapped potential of the valley's old vines. They planted just five hectares of vineyard, focusing on the Rhone varieties that thrive in the Breedekloof's Mediterranean climate: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Roussanne, and Chenin Blanc from vines planted in 1982.

The first vintage followed shortly after acquisition, and in 2007 the Leeuweriks converted an old glass-blowing studio on the property into a working cellar. That improvised beginning set the tone for everything that followed -- Olifantsberg is a winery built on resourcefulness, small-scale precision, and deep respect for the land.

Since 2015, winemaker Elizma Visser has shaped the estate's identity. Her focus on terroir-driven expression and minimal intervention has earned international acclaim, and in 2021 Tim Atkin named her Young Winemaker of the Year. Elizma and farm manager Ferdi Visser work the vineyards and cellar together, maintaining the hands-on approach that defines Olifantsberg.

The wine range is structured around three tiers. The varietal wines -- Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan, and Roussanne -- showcase individual grape expression from specific vineyard blocks. The Beneath Our Feet blends, both red and white, combine the best of the Breedekloof terroir into layered, complex wines. At the top sit the Soul of the Mountain wines: The Bull, a powerful Syrah-led red, The Matriarch, an elegant Grenache-led blend, and The Lark, a single-vineyard Chenin Blanc from the 1982 old vines.

The winery is solar powered and includes a water treatment facility, ensuring that the environmental footprint remains as gentle as the wines themselves. Olifantsberg is a member of the Breedekloof Makers, a collective of the valley's winemakers committed to emphasising the quality emerging from this often-overlooked region. Tastings and dining are available at the estate, with views stretching across the valley to the mountains beyond. It is a place where five hectares of vine, ancient soils, and a Dutch-South African partnership have produced wines that punch far above their weight.