Springfontein Wine Estate
Johst Weber had always envisioned embarking on his own adventure by the time he turned forty, something he could truly be passionate about. A second-generation mining engineer from the Ruhr region, he was responsible for facility management at ThyssenKrupp. After ThyssenKrupp, he founded an energy contracting business offering cost-effective energy solutions, operating in both Germany and the USA. With his passion for wine, acquiring a vineyard seemed a natural choice. Farms in established areas were too expensive, and then he heard about one for sale outside Stanford—not a well-known wine-growing region, although properties in the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde valley were already highly regarded. When he visited the farm, he found it inhabited by a few cows and goats and a solitary old man. The rest was wilderness, but there was a productive spring, and a limestone ridge ran through the property, making it ideal for vines. In 1995, he and a group of friends purchased Springfontein, retaining a majority stake. The first vines were planted in 1998, and the first vintage was in 2005. Of the more than 500 hectares of vineyards, only a small portion is currently under vine. The vineyards are planted with 80% red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Shiraz, Pinotage, and Merlot, and 20% white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, and Chardonnay. However, the focus is increasingly shifting towards the two quintessential South African varieties, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage. The appointment of Tariro Masayiti as winemaker and Hildegard Witbooi as gardener and Vineyear manager has opened a new and very exciting chapter for the estate. The arrival of Jürgen and Susanne Schneider from Germany to open a restaurant on the property has further enhanced Springfontein's appeal as one of the most attractive destinations in the region. Farms in Milkwood Forest add to the exquisite experience that Springfontein has to offer. "We were so impressed by the purist natural winemaking philosophy at Springfontein, which combined with their unique "calcified sand-dune", limestone soils have created unusual, eccentric and beautiful wines - particularly from Chenin blanc and Pinotage." Anthony Hamilton Russell
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Continue shoppingSpringfontein Wine Estate
Johst Weber had always envisioned embarking on his own adventure by the time he turned forty, something he could truly be passionate about. A second-generation mining engineer from the Ruhr region, he was responsible for facility management at ThyssenKrupp. After ThyssenKrupp, he founded an energy contracting business offering cost-effective energy solutions, operating in both Germany and the USA. With his passion for wine, acquiring a vineyard seemed a natural choice. Farms in established areas were too expensive, and then he heard about one for sale outside Stanford—not a well-known wine-growing region, although properties in the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde valley were already highly regarded. When he visited the farm, he found it inhabited by a few cows and goats and a solitary old man. The rest was wilderness, but there was a productive spring, and a limestone ridge ran through the property, making it ideal for vines. In 1995, he and a group of friends purchased Springfontein, retaining a majority stake. The first vines were planted in 1998, and the first vintage was in 2005. Of the more than 500 hectares of vineyards, only a small portion is currently under vine. The vineyards are planted with 80% red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Shiraz, Pinotage, and Merlot, and 20% white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, and Chardonnay. However, the focus is increasingly shifting towards the two quintessential South African varieties, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage. The appointment of Tariro Masayiti as winemaker and Hildegard Witbooi as gardener and Vineyear manager has opened a new and very exciting chapter for the estate. The arrival of Jürgen and Susanne Schneider from Germany to open a restaurant on the property has further enhanced Springfontein's appeal as one of the most attractive destinations in the region. Farms in Milkwood Forest add to the exquisite experience that Springfontein has to offer. "We were so impressed by the purist natural winemaking philosophy at Springfontein, which combined with their unique "calcified sand-dune", limestone soils have created unusual, eccentric and beautiful wines - particularly from Chenin blanc and Pinotage." Anthony Hamilton Russell