Each bottle celebrates the land, the craftsmanship of our winemakers, and the unique characteristics of the varieties that thrive on the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch. From the rocky, arid soils that nurture our Grenache to the bold resilience of Barbera and Petit Verdot, these wines tell the story of the land and the people who tend it. With the oldest viticultural soils in the world, dating back over 900 million years we have an incredible opportunity to craft wines that nowhere else in the world can replicate.
A vineyard-first approach to winemaking
At Waterford Estate, our philosophy has always been about honouring the vineyard first, with the aim of crafting wines that capture the true essence of our terroir. Each variety is grown in carefully selected vineyard blocks, chosen for the unique combination of soil composition, elevation, and microclimate that best suits the grape. This vineyard-first approach is especially evident in our latest Grenache release, the 2022 vintage, a wine that reflects the rugged beauty of its arid home.
The varieties that reflect diversity and depth
The story of our terroir doesn’t end with Grenache. Each variety is a testament to the versatility found in the vineyards of Stellenbosch.
Here at Waterford Estate, we have a wide variety of soil compositions, and slope aspects which affords us the ability to grow eleven different red grape varieties on the farm, each being planted in a soil structure preferred by that cultivar. To truly understand these different soil structures and the wines we craft from them our winemaking team have crafted single varietal wines from these blocks and in doing so they have garnered a greater understanding of the land we call home.
One of these single-varietal wines is the robust and durable Barbera 2017, known for its dark purple fruit profile underpinned by an earthy herbaceous character that leads to classically structured tannins and a vibrant acidity.
Our Petit Verdot 2016, with its intense colour and aromatic complexity, showed its power with a bolder tannin structure but surprised us with a tame elegance that kept you nosing your glass in a bid to decipher its unique character.
We crafted a refined Sangiovese in 2018, which balances acidity, fruit and tobacco spice, teaching us where the refreshing character in The Jem blend comes from.
The 2015 and 2017 Cabernet Franc vintages highlight the classical tannin structure and freshness that Cabernet Franc brings to a blend, all while showing us the characteristics it shares with its Cabernet Sauvignon.
Our varietal-specific wines are carefully crafted, unveiling to us what each of these varietals offer to a great blend allowing us to craft the quality that is The Jem blend.
Grenache – A tribute to the resilience of our terroir
Grenache has become one of the standout varieties in our collection, a wine that showcases the adaptability and tenacity of our vineyards. Grown in rocky soils that resemble the dry landscapes of Spain, Grenache is perfectly suited to the Stellenbosch climate. Its drought resistance allows the vines to thrive even in challenging conditions, such as the tough drought years while still producing wines that are full of vibrant fruit character and elegance.
To capture the freshness and purity of the fruit, our winemakers have chosen to mature the Grenache in porcelain jars – a technique that allows the wine to retain its bright fruit flavours while highlighting the subtle nuances imparted by our unique terroir. This innovative approach to maturation demonstrates our winemaking team's commitment to creativity and exploration while respecting the natural character of each grape.
This year, the spotlight shines on our 2022 Grenache, which earned an impressive 4.5 stars in the 2025 Platter’s Wine Guide. It’s a wine that encapsulates our philosophy of balance between tradition and innovation. With its vibrant notes of red berries, a hint of spice, and lively freshness, the 2022 vintage is an invitation to explore South African Grenache.
Craftsmanship and heritage in every bottle
Our winemaking team is dedicated to respecting the traditions of winemaking and embracing innovative techniques that allow our terroir to shine. The use of porcelain jars for Grenache is just one example of our creative spirit, a choice that prioritises the natural characteristics of the grape while preserving the purity of the vineyard’s expression.
As we continue to experiment and learn from the land, the lessons of each vintage guide us toward a deeper understanding of our terroir.
For more information about our varietal wines or to secure your bottles of Waterford Estate 2022 Grenache, please contact chris@waterfordestate.co.za or follow us on social media for the latest updates.