Groote Post

The Pentz family identified the best 120 Ha of well drained clay soils to plant 122 Ha of wine grapes.

Their philosophy has been carried through to the cellar where only the best will be vinified with the remaining grapes being sold off. Vineyard plantings are mostly on the south-facing upper slopes of the Kapokberg in the Darling Hills overlooking the icy Atlantic Ocean.

Altitudes of the vineyards vary from 200m to 450m above sea level. The prevailing summer south easterly winds keep the vineyards cool throughout the warm summer months. The effect of these cooling winds is amply illustrated by the fact that Groote Post harvest their Sauvignon Blanc 3 to 4 weeks later than they do just a few miles inland. Soils are deep with good water retention qualities. There is supplementary irrigation in place to help with optimum ripening, but for the most part the vines are reliant on the annual average precipitation of 450mm. Jannie de Clerk has steered the viticultural management since the mid-nineties.

The initial few years of grape production was sold on to third parties. In 1998 an experimental batch of Sauvignon Blanc was made with the wine exceeding Peter and Nick’s Expectations. The decision was made to fast-track the construction of a cellar in time for the 1999 harvest.

The 500-ton capacity cellar was built in a restored historic fort (guarding post) on the Klawer Valley farm. Their aim is clear – to maximise the potential of their outstanding terroir and produce wines of the highest quality.

Groote Post is unique as it also has a 2 000-hectare game camp, shared with neighbouring farmer Henry Louw, that is home to indigenous species such as kudu, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, bontebok, springbok, quaggas, eland and gemsbok. For more information on their game drives,  which include a cheese & wine stop in the vineyards, overlooking Table Mountain, click here.

Browse our cases of Groote Post wine available for purchase now.