Peter Falke Wines

On the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains, where the Blaauwklippen Valley opens into one of Stellenbosch's most sheltered wine-growing corridors, Peter Falke Wines occupies the historic farm Groenvlei. The estate owes its existence to a German industrialist's love affair with South Africa. Franz-Peter Falke, whose family had built a global hosiery empire, had been visiting the country since the 1960s when his company opened a factory on South African soil. He and his Parisian wife Daniele grew tired of hotel life on their regular visits, and in 1995 they purchased Groenvlei as a private retreat.

The farm's potential for viticulture quickly became apparent. The Helderberg's decomposed granite soils, cooling afternoon breezes from False Bay, and the valley's sheltered aspect created conditions that demanded serious winemaking. By 2003, the first Peter Falke wine emerged: a Signature Cabernet Sauvignon that announced the estate's ambitions from the outset. The Falkes brought the same precision to winemaking that had built their textile business across three generations.

Werner Schrenk, viticulturist and award-winning winemaker, joined the Peter Falke team in 2008 and has since shaped the cellar's identity. Schrenk works with the estate's five core varietals — Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, and Cap Classique — across two distinct ranges. The Signature Collection, presented in contemporary mirrored bottles, targets the discerning connoisseur with structured, age-worthy wines. The PF Collection offers a more relaxed, approachable style that captures the estate's sociable spirit. Consultant winemaker Louis Nel joined in 2013, adding further depth to the cellar team.

The estate's tasting room and outdoor lounge have earned a reputation as one of the most elegant sundowner retreats in the Winelands. Perched against the mountain backdrop, the contemporary space transitions from afternoon wine tastings into evening gatherings as the sun drops behind the Helderberg. A menu of cheese and charcuterie platters, European-style salads, and light meals accompanies the wines. The stately Cape Dutch homestead, restored by the Falkes, anchors the property's sense of heritage while the modern cellar and tasting room speak to its forward-looking ambition.

Accommodation on the estate allows overnight guests to wake to vineyard views and mountain air. Guided cellar tours reveal the boutique winemaking operation, while vineyard walks trace the slopes that produce the estate's fruit. Function spaces host corporate events and private celebrations, and live music sessions add atmosphere on selected evenings. Peter Falke Wines is a place where German precision meets Cape hospitality — intimate enough to feel personal, polished enough to feel special.