About The Winelands welcomes Rudolph Steenkamp, Winemaker and Vineyard Manager Haskell Vineyards located on the Helderberg Mountain Range in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa. Rudolph took the reigns as Winemaker and Vineyard Manager in 2018 and is committed to a minimalistic winemaking style, guiding the winery along the next necessary steps of organic and biodiverse farming.
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About Rudolph Steenkamp
After 4 years working for different farms in the US I decided to enroll at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch in 2007; a complete change of scenery from my life abroad and especially the Garden Route where I grew up.
I completely fell in love with the luscious vineyards, blue mountains and rich culture of Stellenbosch and the Cape Winelands. It was in 2008 when a bottle of Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2005 made the rounds at an “Huis 18” braai which made me realize I had to study hard, taste more wines and soak up every moment in this beautiful industry to enable me to produce world-class wines.
After Rudolph completed his studies at Elsenburg, he travelled the world, working in Australia and France gaining experience in the wine industry. Rudolph was Assistant Winemaker to Boela Gerber at Groot Constantia, where under the guidance of a living legend he refined his skills in the cellar, before joining the Haskell Team in June 2018.
In September 2018 Rudolph took over as Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Haskell Vineyards in September 2018 and continues to make a positive impact on the farm with his energy, passion and creativity. Focusing on returning to the simplest forms of viticulture, farming the soil and not the vine to achieve even better quality and greater depth of the already excellent Haskell and Dombeya wines.
Converting to organic farming on Haskell Vineyards, will not only create wines that satisfy wine lovers and connoisseurs around the world, but will also have a positive impact on the environment for us, our children and their children.
About Haskell Vineyards
The original farm Dombeya (referring to the many Wild Pear trees on the property) was once a citrus farm, which later included a small coffee shop and a barn where local ladies produced hand-woven blankets and jerseys.
In 2002, American Property Tycoon Preston Haskell IV immediately saw the potential of Dombeya Farm at auction and renaming the farm Haskell Vineyards, the central focus became the creation of unique, terroir-driven wines that would be recognized amongst the finest of their style produced in South Africa.
The Haskell Vineyards estate of 23 hectares has 14 hectares planted under vine, with grape varietals including Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz. Approximately 6000 cases are produced every year, half of which is sold within South Africa, the remainder exported throughout Africa, Europe, Asia and America.
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The Wines
The Award-winning Haskell Flagship Range
The first wines produced under the Haskell label came from the stellar 2007 vintage. Haskell Vineyards have been awarded the prestigious 5-star accolade by John Platter, South Africa’s most significant wine publication. The first ever South African winery chosen, since the inception of the Tri-Nations Challenge, to win Best Syrah, Best Red Wine and Best Wine of the Show in the 2009 competition, where the finest South African wines are pitched against the best Australia and New Zealand have to offer.
In 2009 Haskell Vineyards released our Syrah Vineyard Series (SVS) range, with Haskell Pillars Syrah 2007 and Haskell Aeon Syrah 2007. In July 2010, a third wine was released, the Haskell IV 2007 (Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot) to complete our initial trilogy of offerings.
The Dombeya Range – Crafted with attention to detail, Dombeya wines are outstanding value for money, and have been listed in many top restaurants worldwide
To honour the original farm, our lifestyle range of wines bears the Dombeya name. The Dombeya tree, native to South Africa, has extraordinarily beautiful flowers which herald in South Africa’s spring season. Dotted around our vineyards these trees embrace the cycle of regeneration and renewal, a fitting symbol of modern-day South Africa. Our Dombeya portfolio consists of 5 wines; a varietal range of Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and a Reserve range with Boulder Road Shiraz and the Bordeaux-style Fenix.
Wine Tasting – enquire
You will find a warm welcome by a highly motivated Tasting Room and Front of House team – taste award-winning and single vineyard wines and learn about the diversity of soil and terroir, the wine production and why consistency matters to Haskell Vineyards.
The Longtable – book here
It is our long-held view that great wines taste their best with good food, and whenever possible in good company. We created Longtable not as a glittering showpiece of authentic Cape cuisine, but as a place where unpretentious, flavoursome food could be enjoyed in a relaxing and convivial setting. We like to think that Longtable is all of this and more. With our supply of organic vegetables and sustainable fish, we are able to provide not only delicious food, but food which is sustainably sourced, with minimum waste, and zero use of plastics.
The perfect Summer or Winter Wedding or Function venue – enquire here
Haskell Vineyards Self Catering Accommodation – enquire here
VIDEO – Compagniesdrift, built on passion, dedication and hard work!
