Situated on the border of the Stellenbosch Valley you’ll find the historic Welmoed Winery – a place with over 300 years of winemaking history and a proud tale of pure courage. Welmoed is also the home of a glorious collection of wine ranges produced by Stellenbosch Vineyards, including the newly improved Welmoed range.
From August 2017, all Welmoed wines will flaunt a new look that’s as courageous as the story it holds. Introducing the Heritage Selection, the range remains to commemorate the rich heritage of the farm within the wine industry whilst embracing today’s modern times.
The collection consists of six handcrafted single varietal wines, namely, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz and Merlot – all made from grapes predominantly from the Stellenbosch area.
The bold, new look includes a refreshed brand logo and colour palette with a prominent shift of the Welmoed homestead, dating back to 1690. Apart from the rollout across the brand’s touch points, Welmoed’s new brand image is the final step in completing the transformation to present a set family of wines, namely, the Stellenbosch Vineyards Collection of Fine Wines.
“Winemaker, Bernard Claassen crafts each and every wine with exceptional skill and passion. Each wine in the Welmoed range is specially made to over-deliver in the fact that it creates a wine drinking experience that turns the everyday into something special, and a special event into a memorable occasion. Throughout the years, we’ve seen the brand build up a good reputation and following as consumers have gained confidence in the fact that Welmoed consistently provides them with great quality and value,” comments Carli Jordaan, brand coordinator at Stellenbosch Vineyards.
The tale of Welmoed dates back to when the farm was first granted to Governor Simon van der Stel in 1690. Jacobus van der Heyden, a Dutch Vryburger, inherited the farm and rebelled against Governer Willem van der Stel’s corrupt behavior. After refusing to retract his statement, claiming the governer is a crook, van der Heyden was imprisoned. Only released after his health deteriorated badly, upon his release, the community exclaimed: “Deze vent heft wel moed”, which translates into this chap does have courage.
Over the years, many great wines have been made on the Welmoed farm, with numerous awards received locally and internationally. Commenting on the evolution of Welmoed, Bernard Claassen states, “As a winemaker we measure the success of our wines, not only by the number of medals and trophies we’ve won, but also by our ability to maintain relevant to the consumers of today whilst staying true to our heritage. In the cellar, I continue to adhere to my winemaking philosophy, whilst exploring the different methods to cater for the vast palates of both Welmoed’s existing fans and new wine drinkers.”
Experience the new Welmoed range at the source, by visiting the Welmoed Farm for a wine tasting with Stellenbosch Vineyards situated on the R310 Baden Powell Drive, Stellenbosch. Alternatively, order online at www.stellenboschvineyards.co.za or purchase at major liquor retailers nationwide.