Orange River Cellars

Orange River Cellars is the largest cooperative wine cellar in the southern hemisphere and the second largest in the world. Its story begins in 1965, when the cooperative was established to give grape farmers along the Orange River an outlet for their fruit once the Orange River Irrigation Scheme opened the Northern Cape to viticulture. The Upington Cellar was built in 1967, and in 1968 winemaker Jan Neethling oversaw the first harvest, producing just three styles: dry white, semi-sweet, and full sweet.

The growth was extraordinary. Through the 1970s, new cellars were erected in Keimoes, Grootdrink, Groblershoop, and Kakamas, stretching the cooperative's footprint along more than 300 kilometres of the Orange River between Groblershoop and Blouputs. By 1976, Orange River Cellars was the largest cooperative cellar in South Africa. In 2004, the cellar recorded its highest ever intake of 184,000 tonnes of grapes -- a scale of production almost unimaginable in the boutique-dominated Cape Winelands.

The Northern Cape terroir is distinctive. The semi-arid Kalahari climate, irrigated by the Orange River, produces grapes with intense flavour concentration. The region is particularly renowned for fortified wines -- Muscadel, Hanepoot, Jerepigo, and the iconic Nagmaalwyn (communion wine) -- styles that have earned the cellar a loyal following across South Africa. At the 1980 SA Wine Champions Show, ORC claimed 22 gold, silver, and bronze awards. The White Muscadel 2023 was honoured at the 2024 Muskadel SA Awards.

Today the wine portfolio has expanded well beyond the original three styles. The Hedgehog range offers accessible everyday wines: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinotage. The Lyra range steps up to premium expressions. The fortified wines remain the jewels of the portfolio -- ORC Nagmaalwyn, Full Cream Fortified, Cape Ruby, Old Brown Fortified, Red Jerepigo, White Jerepigo, Red Muscadel, White Muscadel, Hanepoot, and Straw Wine.

In 2023, Orange River Cellars converted from a cooperative to a private company, marking a new chapter for an operation that draws fruit from 160 expert grape producers along the river. The Upington tasting room on Industria Street offers cellar tours and tastings, and remains one of the most unexpected wine tourism destinations in South Africa -- a place where the Kalahari meets the vine.