Val Di Terra

Val Di Terra was born during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, emerging from a shared passion for wine among a group of friends who saw an opportunity to create something meaningful during an uncertain time. Rather than acquiring vineyards of their own, the founders took an unconventional path: they partnered with Ken Forrester, one of South Africa's most respected and internationally acclaimed winemakers, to produce wines exclusively for the Val Di Terra label from his Stellenbosch estate.

The partnership with Forrester gave Val Di Terra immediate access to some of the finest terroir in the Cape Winelands. Their debut release, a 2020 Grenache Syrah Mourvedre, was oak barrel-aged and limited to just 200 individually numbered bottles — a statement of intent that positioned the brand firmly in the boutique luxury space. The GSM blend drew on Forrester's deep experience with Rhone-style varietals and the warm Stellenbosch soils that coax rich, layered expression from these grapes.

Val Di Terra's philosophy centres on accessible luxury. The founders believe that exceptional wine should not be the preserve of collectors or connoisseurs alone, and their pricing reflects this — premium quality at a level that invites exploration rather than intimidation. Every bottle carries the craftsmanship of Ken Forrester's cellar, where decades of experience inform each blend.

The brand operates as a negociant-style venture rather than a traditional estate. There is no physical cellar door or tasting room on a farm; instead, Val Di Terra connects with its audience through direct sales and selected retail partners. This lean model allows the founders to focus entirely on the wine itself, working closely with Forrester to develop new releases that showcase the diversity of Stellenbosch fruit.

Still in its early chapters, Val Di Terra represents a new generation of South African wine brands — ones built on partnership, passion, and the belief that great wine tells a story worth sharing.