The Breedekloof Wine Route is comprised of 22 wineries, which range from small boutiques, to cellars and estates.
The Breedekloof also attracts cyclists, fly fishing enthusiasts and gin enthusiasts to Tierkop Farm for Monk’s Gin. The Breedekloof draws prospective brides and grooms to its breathtaking venues, which include structural marvel, Bosjes Wedding Venue, designed by architects, Steyn Studio.
Henri Swiegers, Production Manager at Breedekloof winer cellar, Badsberg said: “wine reminds me of all the things around us that we don’t appreciate every day. Stop and smell the flavours.”
Merwida is another of the celebrated wineries in the Breedekloof. Winemakers, Magnus Kriel, Sarel van Staden and Lieza van der Merwe are responsible for the vinification of 800 hectares under vine, with a selection from 32 different cultivars.
Winemaker, Lieza van der Merwe walks us through seven reasons to explore the beauty of the Breedekloof.
- Terroir
The Breedekloof is helmed in by the Slanghoek and Du Toitskloof Mountains on the west and south west, and the Hex River Mountains on the north-eastern side.
Lieza says, “a general, unique feature of this area is the slower ripening that the grapes undergo due to the region being closed off by the various mountain ranges. This allows the cooler night air to be trapped. The longer hang time on the vines allow the grapes to gain an extra dimension and tangible complexity, which allows for superb expression.”
While the rest of the country is harvesting at full speed in February, Lieza says the Breedekloof tends to still lie in wait for their grapes to ripen.
“The diversity in terroir is matched by various approaches the winemakers use in the different wineries,” Lieza says.
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