Bonnievale Wines

The name Bonnievale itself tells the story: founding father Christopher Forrest Rigg looked across the fertile valley of the Breede River and called it his 'bonnie vale' -- a haven of beauty, happiness, hospitality, and prosperity. The wine cooperative that bears this name came together in the early 2000s through the collaboration of local farmers who understood that the region's most compelling wines require access to a wide selection of fruit from a vast, diverse terroir.

Today Bonnievale Wines comprises four production cellars whose cumulative histories stretch back generations, processing grapes from 100 member farms across the Robertson district. Among these is the Elethu Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment farm, established in 2007, reflecting the cooperative's commitment to transformation alongside winemaking excellence. Under South Africa's legislated Wine of Origin scheme, Bonnievale is certified as a producer of the Breede River Valley in the Robertson district.

The winemaking team is led by CEO Christo Pienaar, who joined in July 2023. Pienaar is an accomplished winemaker, agricultural economist, and industry leader -- well known as chair of the SA National Wine Show Association and organiser of the Terroir, Young Wine Show, and Veritas competitions. He has served on local and international judging panels. Working alongside him is Eddie, who joined Bonnievale straight out of school and worked his way up to winemaker through years of hands-on cellar experience.

The wine portfolio centres on two ranges. The River Collection offers accessible, everyday wines -- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and a Rose Moscato Perle -- all priced between R86 and R101. The Limited Release range, with Cabernet Sauvignon at R206 and Chardonnay at R146, showcases the finest parcels from the cooperative's 100 farms. The breadth of grape varieties is notable: thirteen different wine types spanning reds, whites, rose, sparkling, muscat, and dessert wine.

The tasting room in Bonnievale offers two options: three wines for R35 or five wines for R55. Chocolate and wine pairings are available by arrangement, and the venue serves pizza alongside the tasting experience. A children's jungle gym makes it a family-friendly stop. The Top Spender Wine Club automatically enrols customers who spend over R2,000, offering ongoing benefits. With a 4.4-star Google rating from 95 reviews, Bonnievale Wines delivers honest, good-value Robertson wines backed by the collective terroir wisdom of a hundred farming families.