The Wine Fox
- Sep 18, 2019
- 5 min read

Why Oldenburg should be next on your bucket list

"Oldenburg is where tranquility and fine wines meld together in outstanding sensory hues". The Wine Fox

To date, I've visited over 100 wine estates in the Western Cape and out of those 100, Oldenburg Vineyards places strongly as a top five favourite of mine. Let me walk you through why I would proudly claim that, and further. why Oldenburg Vineyards, in my opinion, ticks all the boxes.

Some brief history before we begin

In the 1950's Oldenburg Vineyards went by the name “Rondekop” thanks to the distinctive round hill that forms the center-piece of their vineyards. At the time it was a fruit farm. The farm was owned by Una Van der Spuy and when she passed on the farm was put into a trust. Adrian Vanderspuy purchased the farm in 2003. In 2004 the first vines were planted as an experiment to see if the terroir would suit them. Syrah and Cab Franc were the first cultivars to be planted. The first harvest was just 3 years later in 2007 and it turned out to be a phenomenal vintage at Oldenburg and proof of concept that exceptional quality fruit could be produced. Following this all the remaining cultivars were planted and the rest is history.

Views

Oldenburg Vineyards is a boutique winery situated in Stellenbosch, completely off the beaten track and tucked away in the mountains in an area known as Banghoek. When arriving and walking into Oldenburg's tasting room I always experience a wave of peace and complete sense of awe. When you visit be prepared to be immersed into a potent cocktail of eye candy that almost seems surreal as you gaze on a magnitude of beauty that is now your reality.

The modern thatched tasting center is tucked away in nature, far from being overly busy, bustling or noisy. This is perfect for those who like peace and quiet while meditating on exceptional wines in silence with the melodic tinkle of wine glass and wine gushing as its being poured hypnotically...Indeed this is the wine destination where languid blissful days of wine and tranquility awaits.

The view comprises of three vast towering mountain ranges, Groot Drakenstein, Jonkershoek and Simonsberg, which create a majestic natural amphitheatre, surrounded by lush green valleys, the Rondekop hill, elevated vineyards, the rich and bright Cape floral kingdom of beautiful indigenous Fynbos and dazzling emerald lawns; these all meld together to create a visual master piece which make Oldenburg so scenically appealing but also play a part in their wines.

There are 8 natural elements that work in harmony at Oldenburg Vineyards and are to "blame" for Oldenburg's outstanding wines:

Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean Mountain Ranges Mountain Amphitheater Elevation Wind Soils Rondekop

Oldenburg Tasting room

The view

Wine tasting

The wine tasting room is bright, fresh and modern with natural earth tones that blend into the surroundings. In winter a toasty fire sets the mood and makes for a cozy wine tasting experience.

The Oldenburg tasting lounge

Three awesome wine tasting options to choose from:

Oldenburg Vineyards Tasting: Premium range: 6 wines for R110 – This includes a light snack platter.

Elements Tasting: Premium range wines plus one Ultra-Premium wine of your choice for R200 – This also includes a light snack platter.

Rondekop Tasting – Our 3 Ultra-Premium wines for R240 – This also includes a light snack platter.

Please note that Oldenburg Vineyards doesn't have a restaurant. Great Winelands lunches a stone throw away are: TOKARA, Delaire Graff and Babylonstoren (Each of these has 2+ restaurants on their estates to choose from, all incredible).

Oldenburg light snack platter

Oldenburg Chardonnay is a solid favourite of the wine fox

WINEMAKING / MATURATION The Grapes were picked by hand, followed by careful bunch and berry sorting.Crushing and destemming was handled delicately. The wine was 100%barrel fermented. Thereafter, the wine was then matured for 8 months in 300l French oak barrels, 35% of which was new.

TASTING NOTES Bright yellow colour. Inviting aromas of ripe orange, kumquat, litchi, banana and oak spice on the nose. The palate shows pin-point balance between fruit and oak, while mouth-filling flavours of tangerine and dried pineapple adds further interest. The finish is fresh and crisp, with lingering citrus flavours that add elegance.

love all of these wines

Wine served in stunning Zalto Glasses

The Winemaker

Nic Van Aarde stepped into the position as Winemaker at Oldenburg Vineyards in November 2018. Nic holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture (Oenology and Viticulture) as well as a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, both from Stellenbosch University

He quickly gained a reputation as one of South Africa’s leading winemakers, working at various leading wineries in Stellenbosch. Nic also spent time working in Australia, New Zealand, USA, France and India. His passion is exploring the intricacies of the vineyard, viticulture and winemaking techniques,and the potential for making super premium wines by combining these major variables together.

Outstanding Attentive Hospitality Meet Stefan the new Ambassador at Oldenburg Vineyards. Stefan will make you feel right at home when you visit the tasting room at Oldenburg.

Stefan: "I studied and completed a Bachelor of Drama at the University of Stellenbosch, during which I worked on a number of wine estates in and around Stellenbosch. I then wanted to concentrate on marketing and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing at SU. I moved over to Germany and got involved with the German wine industry. I worked for 3 years at Germany’s version of Harrod’s, Galeria Kaufhof (Now Galeria Kaufhof Karstadt), where I was in the Wine and Spirits retail industry and eventually ended up being a part of Cologne’s buying team. In this time I also did my WSET 2 and Level 3 in Koblenz. As good as it was in Germany though, it wasn’t home, and in January of 2019 I moved back to South Africa and was very privileged to be picked up by Oldenburg in March 2019. I am now hoping to do my DipWset next year September and look forward to seeing where my career at Oldenburg takes me."

Stefan working his wine magic

The Homestead at Oldenburg

Book a stay in the Stellenbosch Winelands at The Homestead on Oldenburg Vineyards. Spacious and elegantly proportioned, the 200 year old homestead has been meticulously restored, modernised and opened up to create a seamless flow of exquisitely furnished indoor and outdoor spaces for relaxed family living and sophisticated entertaining. Sleeping up to 12 in six bedrooms, the accommodation is well suited to a multi-generational family, a party of friends, or a corporate team needing a discreet setting for high-powered meetings.

Surrounded by a well-established garden, olive groves and vineyards, the double-story house has deep verandas,a large swimming pool and a sleek, glass-walled gym from which to appreciate the dramatic Groot Drakenstein Mountains. It comes with a resident manager – a trained butler with sharply honed concierge skills – and two housekeepers. Additional staff, such as a private chef, driver, childminder or personal trainer, can be arranged...Read more about the Homestead.