Vrede Wines

In 2011, four friends -- two accountants and two traders -- pooled their passion for South African wine into a venture called Vin de Classique International. Their base is Vrede, a 52-hectare farm tucked against the eastern slopes of the Bottelary ward in Stellenbosch, beneath the Simonsberg and Jonkershoek mountains. The name Vrede means 'peace' in Afrikaans, and the farm lives up to it: a quiet, family-scale property blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate where generous sunshine is tempered by cool Atlantic breezes.

Vin de Classique operates as a wine trading company that sources grapes and wine from Vrede and neighbouring farms, vinifying, blending and bottling everything under the guidance of their own winemaker. The philosophy is approachable complexity -- new world wines with depth and full-bodied character that remain easy to drink. Each wine, as the company tagline puts it, is 'a voyage of discovery.'

The portfolio runs across three distinct brands. Vrede Vineyard Select sits at the top, offering single-varietal wines of real distinction. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah in this range spend up to 16 months in 300-litre French oak barrels, developing layers of dark fruit, spice and well-integrated tannin. The Vineyard Select range earned a Silver medal at the London Wine Competition, confirming its international credentials.

The Charme Friendship Collection takes a lighter, more sociable approach. Named to celebrate the bond between the founding friends, this range spans Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, a Sparkling Sweet Rose and a Sparkling Brut -- wines designed for sharing. The non-alcoholic Sparkling White extends the range to those who prefer to celebrate without alcohol.

The Bon Voyage line rounds out the portfolio with easy-drinking, fruit-forward blends -- a Sweet Red and a Cape Red -- priced for everyday enjoyment. Together, the three ranges cover every occasion from a Tuesday evening braai to a formal dinner party.

Vrede does not operate a public tasting room or restaurant, positioning itself as a producer and exporter rather than a destination estate. The wines are available through the VDC International website and selected retailers, with a focus on both the South African domestic market and international distribution. For a small, friend-founded operation, the ambition is global -- and the quality of the wines is making that ambition real.