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OLDENBURG VINEYARDS

Oldenburg Vineyards is a premium boutique South African winery, perched high-up in the Banghoek Valley above Stellenbosch. Here, winemaker Nic van Aarde pursues his mission to ‘let the terroir talk’ and produce balanced, elegant wines from the puzzle-piece vineyard parcels located on and around the central Rondekop Hill. Making a positive impact on both the local community and the local environment were key founding principles of Oldenburg Vineyards and inform every aspect of their winemaking and operational practices.

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restoring a superb site in the western cape

Oldenburg, as we know it today, was established in 2003 by Western Cape-native Adrian Vanderspuy, a former financial investor with a long-term ambition to produce premium wines, who also spent much of his youth on the neighbouring farm. Upon his return, Adrian set about replanting the neglected vineyards, some of which had existed since the early 1960s, culminating in his first vintage in 2007. Today, the estate is led by head winemaker, Nic Van Aarde, who oversaw the completion of Oldenburg’s newly built cellar at the start of 2019. Having gained a BSc in Oenology and Viticulture (as well as having a mother who once worked for award-winning winery Nederburg), Nic quickly earned a reputation as one of South Africa’s leading winemakers, working at a variety of top wineries in the Stellenbosch region, including Warwick Winery.

the banghoek valley

the banghoek valley

8km from Stellenbosch, the Oldenburg Winery is located high up in the Banghoek Valley. Meaning ‘Scary Corner’, Banghoek’s moniker pays tribute to the bravery of early pioneers
who conquered the craggy mountainsides to discover what lay beyond: a valley home to elephants, buffalo, lions, and leopards. Thanks to their daring spirit, these fore-bearers gave seed to a region now rich in viniculture, producing some of the country’s top wines.

rondekop

rondekop

The Banghoek Valley offers a perfect storm of undulating hills, cool maritime influences, and diverse soil composition, which, together, provide the mark of the region’s unique terroir. Oldenburg’s vines are grown at 300-450m, with elevation being a key component for promoting cooler temperatures and, therefore, longer, steadier ripening times. Surrounded by a magnificent mountain amphitheatre, the vineyards here also benefit from more hours of sunlight than those which lie in the shadow of the mountains. Both Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc flourish particularly well in these mountainous vineyards, while the region’s rich red soil and decomposed granite add a complex minerality to the wines. Oldenburg’s vineyards are arranged like puzzle pieces around Rondekop – a magical hill at the heart of the estate, which provides a unique, 360-degree perspective of the terroir.

the vineyard series

the vineyard series

The Oldenburg Vineyards series is a collection of exceptional single cultivar wines, showcasing the diversity of Oldenburg’s vineyards, soils and microclimate, intending to highlight the finest characteristics of each grape variety. Since joining the Oldenburg team in 2018, winemaker Nic Van Arde has been a strong advocate of minimal intervention; his philosophy is less is more, believing that it is the winemaker’s duty to let the terroir do the talking. Yields are deliberately kept low in order to maximise fruit concentration, while significant crop-thinning ensures only perfect grapes are picked.

8 elements

8 elements

  • Oldenburg’s location benefits from the confluence of eight distinct natural elements, all of which are depicted on the intricate label design:
  • Indian Ocean
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Mountain ranges
  • Mountain amphitheatre
  • Cool winds
  • Elevation
  • Soils
  • Rondekop
  • THE WINES

    THE WINES

  • VINEYARD SERIES CHENIN BLANC | Hand picked and gently whole bunch pressed at a cool temperature, this Chenin sees some serious attention to detail and it shows in the glass. There is an extraordinary purity of fruit here: fresh peach, quince, and red apples come with a twist of mouth-watering salinity. The palate is beautifully focused, shimmering with minerals, flecks of vanilla pod and a white flower freshness. We love its crisp acidity, finessed texture, and amazing through-line of energy. Wow.
  • VINEYARD SERIES CHARDONNAY | Stellenbosch Chardonnay is starting to win the hearts of international wine lovers, and few areas show Chardonnay’s quality as exceptionally as the Banghoek Valley. From an alluvial sandstone plot that sits at 350m above sea level, this elegant Chardonnay, matured in French oak barrels, shows wonderful purity. Layers of fresh orchard fruit, grapefruit, chamomile, and lilies are spring-loaded with a vibrant acidity. The touch of French oak is perfectly integrated, offering a rounded texture and delicious hazelnut complexity. The finish is pristine, long and mineral.
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