Franschhoek · South Africa
Capaia
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Capaia winery is located in Philadelphia, about 30 kilometers north of Cape Town and not far from the Atlantic Ocean, and is one of South Africa's most prestigious boutique wineries. It was founded in 1997 by Alexander Baron von Essen and his wife Ingrid on a former wheat farm, whose soils, after intensive analysis, proved ideal for viticulture. The estate follows the classic château principle: all wines are made exclusively from estate-grown grapes. The vineyards lie on the slopes of Olifantskop on slate and clay soils, benefiting from cool sea breezes and varying exposures, which lend the wines elegance, freshness, and depth. Capaia is particularly known for its Bordeaux-inspired red wines, most notably the "Capaia One" blend, complemented by varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, and a mineral Sauvignon Blanc. Overall, Capaia represents the fusion of South African terroir with a European-influenced winemaking philosophy and high-quality craftsmanship.
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Gilbert & Gaillard - Double Gold
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About Capaia
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Capaia —
European wine philosophy meets South African terroir
Capaia is not located in Franschhoek or Stellenbosch, but in Philadelphia — one of the cooler wine-growing regions of the Cape, about 30 kilometers north of Cape Town and close enough to the Atlantic to benefit from constant sea breezes. Alexander Baron von Essen and his wife Ingrid founded the estate in 1997 on a former wheat farm, whose slate and clay-rich soils proved to be exceptionally suitable for viticulture after in-depth soil analyses.
The winery consistently follows the Château principle: all wines are produced exclusively from their own grapes, which grow on the slopes of the Olifantskop on differently oriented plots. This combination of maritime climate, hillside locations, and mineral-rich soils gives the wines their characteristic freshness and depth — despite the South African sun.
The focus is on Bordeaux-influenced red wines: the flagship cuvée Capaia One as well as varietal bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz. The range is complemented by a mineral Sauvignon Blanc. Those looking for European-influenced structure with the character of the Western Cape will find one of South Africa's most coherent answers at Capaia.