Skaap Wines

Skaap Wines traces its origins to a Dutch banker's love affair with the South African Cape. Thierry Schaap first visited the Stellenbosch region on holiday in 2005 and was so captivated by the landscape and the winemaking culture that he resolved to make the transition from finance to viticulture. The name Skaap -- Afrikaans for sheep, a direct translation of his Dutch surname Schaap -- roots the brand in both its European heritage and its African home.

The Schaap family settled on Farm 3 at Wedderwill Estate on Sir Lowry's Pass, a property that sits at the end of the Schapenberg wine route with an ideal combination of altitude, aspect, and cool ocean breezes from nearby False Bay. The terroir here is distinctive: elevated slopes that moderate temperatures during the growing season, well-drained soils that stress the vines into producing concentrated fruit, and reliable maritime influence that preserves acidity and freshness in the finished wines.

Thierry chose to focus the vineyard plantings on just two varieties -- Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz -- planted across three distinct blocks to take maximum advantage of different soil types and aspects within the property. This focused approach has allowed Skaap to develop genuine expertise in these two cultivars rather than spreading resources across a broad portfolio. The winemaking is entrusted to Riaan Oosthuizen, a veteran with over eighteen years of experience and more than twenty award-winning wines to his name, including Gold and Double Gold medals at both the Veritas and Michelangelo competitions. Oosthuizen previously worked at Durbanville Hills, Capaia Wines, and Nitida before establishing his own label, Nomada.

Beyond the core Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, Skaap has expanded its range to include a Methode Cap Classique Brut, a Rose, and a Bordeaux-style red blend called Nathan, composed in equal thirds of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The wines are sold primarily through the estate and through export channels to the Netherlands, where the Schaap family maintains strong connections.

Social responsibility is woven into the Skaap business model. The winery donates five percent of its revenue to Children's Foodure, a charitable foundation established to help educate, feed, and clothe the children of Sir Lowry's Pass Village. The foundation nurtures and feeds more than two hundred children every school day and sponsors sixty school children with fees, uniforms, shoes, books, and stationery.

The property also operates Lalapanzi Lodge, offering guest accommodation in a villa setting within the vineyard, combining wine tourism with a community-focused stay experience.