Onderkloof Vines and Wines in Sir Lowry's Pass, Western Cape

Onerkloof’s owner, Danie Truter, has been making wine for over 30 years. He studied Cellar Technology at Stellenbosch University’s Elsenburg Agricultural College and worked at Simonsig and Hartenberg wine estates before buying Onderkloof.

He purchased it with Beat Musfeld and it is perfectly positioned on the slopes of the Schaapenberg. Nearby estates such as Morgenster and Vergelegen enjoy the same microclimatic condition as Onderkloof. The old stable and shed was converted into the wine cellar where Danie works his magic. The reds, Onderkloof Shiraz 2007 and Onderkloof Pinotage are from single vineyards each with their own microclimate. There’s also an unwooded Onderkloof Floreal Rouge 2005 made from Merlot and Malbec. The Onderkloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 has tastes of raspberries, plums and blackberries and has been oaked in French barrels whilst the Pinotage has the scent of spicy vanilla and roasted berries.

The Onderkloof white wines include Onderkloof Chenin Blanc 2007- a single vineyard wine with yellow plum and guava flavours; the Onderkloof Chardonnay 2007 is a fresh wine with lime, grapefruit and warm butter and the fuller bodied Onderkloof Sauvignon Blanc 2009 with tropical fruits. Not forgetting the blend of Muscat, Chenin and Crouchen Blanc blend which culminates in the Onderkloof Floreal Blanc de Blanc 2007.