Du Preez Estate

Tucked away in the Breedekloof Valley at the foot of the Du Toitskloof Mountains, Du Preez Estate has been in the Du Preez family since 1916. Over more than a century, three generations have tended this land with a singular focus on viticulture, and today the estate is led by Jean du Preez and his sister Janette Basson, who head up operations with a quiet confidence that belies the quality in the bottle.

The estate sits along the R101 Old N1 Road near Rawsonville, approximately 75 kilometres from Cape Town. It is a place of wide-open spaces, endless vineyard rows, and dramatic mountain backdrops -- a setting that makes every tasting feel unhurried and personal. The cellar master and winemaker is Jaco Marais, who joined the team in 2020 and has continued the Du Preez tradition of producing fruit-driven, single-varietal wines that deliver genuine quality at honest prices.

The wine range spans eleven varietals, from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz to Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and a Petit Verdot. Bottles are priced between R65 and R180, making Du Preez one of the best-value estates in the Breedekloof. The portfolio is rounded off by two standout wines: Polla's Red, a special blend named after a beloved family member, with ripe plum and blackberry notes on a ruby base; and the Hendrik Lodewyk Cap Classique Brut, named after five-year-old Hendrik Lodewyk the Fourth, a traditional-method sparkling wine with citrusy, biscuity, and butterscotch notes that sells for R200.

Du Preez Estate is recognised by the Wine of the Western Cape Forum as a traditional, family-owned property with estate wines and a Sauvignon Blanc specialisation. The estate holds IPW and WIETA sustainability accreditations. Mountain views from the cellar add to the tranquil tasting atmosphere, and the property is also available for small private events such as birthdays, either on the lawn, in the marquee, or in the tasting room.

The tasting room is open Monday to Friday 08:00 to 17:00 and Saturday 10:00 to 13:00. An online shop is available for those who cannot visit in person. For a family that has been quietly making wine in the Breedekloof for over a hundred years, the philosophy is simple: grow good grapes, make honest wine, and welcome every visitor like family.