Somerbosch Wine

Exactly halfway between Somerset West and Stellenbosch, on the farm known as Die Fonteine — 'the fountains' — the Roux family has been growing grapes for over half a century. The name Somerbosch is a portmanteau of its two neighbouring towns, and the estate sits on the R44 in one of the most celebrated viticultural corridors in the Cape Winelands.

The modern story of Somerbosch begins in 1995, when brothers Marius and Japie Roux convinced their father Wally to revive the family's winemaking tradition. Wally had grown up next door to the land and married the girl next door — literally buying Die Fonteine farm to expand the family's agricultural holdings. A trip to California's Napa Valley in the early 1990s was the catalyst: Marius saw what small, family-run estates could achieve when they focused on quality over volume, and returned to Stellenbosch determined to apply those lessons to the family's own vineyards.

The brothers began with Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc — varieties that thrive in the Helderberg's combination of deep red soils, altitude, and the cooling influence of False Bay. Over the following decades, they expanded the portfolio to include Merlot, Shiraz, Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, and a Methode Cap Classique sparkling wine. Each wine is estate-grown and cellar-matured, reflecting the specific terroir of Die Fonteine's vineyards.

The crown of the Somerbosch range is Kylix — a flagship Bordeaux-style blend released only in exceptional vintages. The name refers to the ancient Greek drinking vessel, and the wine is assembled from the finest parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz, selected by the brothers as the definitive expression of their land. The 2019 vintage, for example, is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 20% Shiraz — a limited-edition wine made for serious collectors.

In recent years, the estate has added a bistro and deli that has quickly become a favourite among locals and Stellenbosch visitors alike. The menu features seasonal bistro fare designed to pair with Somerbosch wines, and the terrace offers views across the vineyards toward the Helderberg mountains.

Somerbosch remains firmly a family affair. Marius and Japie are still the winemakers, still walking the vineyards, still making the blending decisions. There is no corporate ownership, no outside investors, no consultants flown in from Bordeaux. What you taste in the glass is the product of one family, one farm, and three decades of quiet, determined work in one of Stellenbosch's finest neighbourhoods.