Origins

Origins

Capensis was born from both the curiosity of a Californian winemaking powerhouse and an amazing South African winemaker’s desire to return home.

After years working with Jackson Family Wines (for whom he still oversees vineyard operations) Graham Weerts wanted to make amazing wine in South Africa again. Barbara Banke, legendary co-founder of JFW, had fallen in love with South African wine on a visit some years before, and the wine they thought best of all was Chardonnay.

Weeks of visits, tastings and speaking to growers led them to superb parcels of fruit across the Western Cape and, particularly, Stellenbosch, and in 2013 they vinified their inaugural vintage.

Continuing the search for fruit led them to a special vineyard in Stellenbosch, which became available for sale in 2014. ‘It was a no-brainer,’ chuckles Graham. ‘We bought that thing for a bargain.’

Although they then had their own property, Capensis continued and continue to search for the best growers and plots around Stellenbosch and the Western Cape, believing in the complexity that can be achieved through uncovering and bringing together distinct expressions of Chardonnay.

Today they’re acknowledged as one of the finest Chardonnay makers not only in South Africa, but anywhere in the world.