Groenland Wyne

In the red-soiled heart of the Bottelary Hills, where some of Stellenbosch's most powerful red wines are born, Groenland has been quietly producing distinguished wines for close to a century. The name means "green land" in Afrikaans, a fitting description for a property that has remained verdant and productive across four generations of the Steenkamp family.

The Steenkamps acquired the farm in 1973, but the winemaking heritage on this land stretches back considerably further. Under the stewardship of the late Kosie Steenkamp, who took charge in 1975, Groenland was transformed from a mixed farming operation into a focused wine estate with a reputation for bold, full-bodied reds. Kosie planted roughly 70% of the vineyards to red grape varieties -- Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Merlot and Shiraz -- with the remaining 30% dedicated to white cultivars including Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. The Bottelary terroir, with its decomposed granite and clay soils, proved ideal for producing complex, concentrated reds with good structure and ageing potential.

Today, Piet Steenkamp carries on as the fourth-generation owner and winemaker. He brings a modern sensibility to the family tradition while respecting the techniques that made Groenland's name. Maturation takes place in a combination of American and French oak barrels, a hallmark of the estate's house style that balances richness with finesse.

The flagship wine is the Antoinette Marie, a proprietary red blend of Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon named after a family member. It has earned Platter's 4-star ratings and is a regular winner at the Veritas, Michelangelo and Gourmet Festival competitions. The Shiraz, too, has built a loyal following for its dark fruit intensity and peppery spice.

Tastings take place in the Old Reservoir tasting room, a heritage space lovingly renovated in 2003 that blends the estate's agricultural past with modern comfort. It is one of the more charming tasting venues in the Bottelary, offering an intimate, unhurried experience far removed from the crowds of the main Stellenbosch wine routes. The estate is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00 and Saturday mornings until 13:00.

Groenland is a working family farm in the truest sense -- no frills, no pretension, just honest wine made from exceptional Bottelary fruit by people who have known this soil for generations.