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Wines of Regal Distinction |
Longridge Wine Estate
The wines below are represented by Sovereign Selection in the United States.
About
Longridge Wine Estate, one of the leading wine estates in South Africa, is situated in the Stellenbosch region on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain range. The farm was first registered in 1841 and underwent a few name changes before finally being called Longridge in 1992, when commercial wine production first started.
Our goal is to produce world class wines in a natural way, applying the age-old traditions of “natural winemaking’’ and respecting our land, by not using any herbicides, pesticides or chemical sprays.
Please come and visit us to taste and buy our wines or enjoy lunch or dinner at the restaurant. We are child friendly and you can take your children on a short walking trail to discover the different kinds of grapes, and to visit our hardworking cows and ducks.
Vineyards
The farm is 50 hectares in size with half of that currently planted with vines. The slopes are mostly west facing and about 5km from the sea.
Our relatively moderate Maritime climate contributes towards the even ripening of the grapes, with cooling breezes pushing in from nearby False Bay during the afternoons and cool air rolling down the mountain at night. This makes it generally a few degrees cooler than the rest of Stellenbosch. Average annual rainfall is approximately 800mm and the clay sub-soil has good water-holding capacity, however we can irrigate in dry years to preserve quality.
Our soils are essentially decomposed granite over iron rich clay, which are ideal for the varieties we grow. We are focussed on improving the mineral make-up and organic matter in our soils and employ bio-dynamic practices to great effect to accomplish this.
We focus on the varieties that are best suited to our climate and soils.
Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc (Steen) have both proven themselves over the years and have been highly awarded. Likewise, the classic red varieties of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and of course Pinotage.
Our winemaking philosophy is simple – we want to make enjoyable wines, which are healthy to drink and of a world class standard.
For this we need only grapes and time. In other words, we do not want to make all the various additions modern winemakers use to produce wines quicker and cheaper. Accordingly we use less sulphur dioxide and no commercial yeast, enzymes, fining agents, stabilizing agents, filtration etc.
Restaurant
With panoramic views sweeping over False Bay and Table Mountain, the award winning Longridge restaurant is a perfect showcase for delicious South African inspired cuisine. A favourite amongst both tourists and locals, you’ll find a menu rich in organic herbs and vegetables from the estate’s garden.
In a beautifully relaxed atmosphere, enjoy homegrown luxury, masterfully created by the finest chefs, and complemented by a large selection of specially matured vintage wines from the Longridge Vinoteq.
Enjoy fabulous country cuisine inspired by the freshest seasonal produce from our organic kitchen garden. Culinary consultant Marilou Marais and our chef Bruce von Pressentin work closely together to create a culinary journey through each season. Each culinary master piece can be perfectly paired with the elegant wines from the Longridge cellar. The relaxed and informal atmosphere is the perfect showcase for the incredible panoramic views sweeping over False Bay with glorious sunsets over Table Mountain.
