Herold Wines

On the fynbos-clad northern slopes of Cradock Peak in the Cape Fold Outeniqua Mountains, between George and Oudtshoorn, an eight-hectare boutique wine farm produces some of the most distinctive cool-climate wines outside the traditional Cape winelands. Herold Wines occupies a rare terroir where high altitude, crisp winter frosts, and cooling summer breezes create a long, slow growing season that coaxes exceptional character from Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.

The vineyard story began in 1997 when Mark Chandler bought the farm and planted the first Pinot Noir vines in 1999. His sister Vivien Harpur bottled the maiden vintage in 2003, establishing Herold as a pioneer of winemaking in the Outeniqua Ward. In 2010, the Fourie family acquired the property and transformed it into a thriving boutique winery. Nico Fourie, a self-taught winemaker and dedicated farmer, took the reins and has steadily expanded the range while maintaining the intimate, hands-on character of the operation.

Today Herold bottles approximately 18,000 litres of wine annually from its compact but exceptional vineyard. The flagship remains the Pinot Noir, which thrives in the mountain microclimate and expresses a terroir utterly unlike anything found in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. The cool nights and elevation produce a Pinot with bright acidity and delicate structure. The portfolio has expanded to include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, all grown, made, bottled, and certified in the Outeniqua Ward.

The farm is more than a cellar. Comfortable mountain-view accommodation in renovated labourers' cottages offers a peaceful retreat without television or radio, designed to immerse guests in the tranquillity of the countryside. Accessible hiking trails lead into the Outeniqua Nature Reserve, and FarmFit offers guided hikes, trail runs, and wellness retreats for active visitors. Wine tastings offer a choice of six out of eight wines for R50, making this one of the most affordable and rewarding tasting experiences in the Garden Route.

The on-site restaurant serves hearty, homemade meals. Light lunches, cheese platters, and pancakes are available during the week, with pizzas added on Saturdays and public holidays. A small function space doubles as an intimate wedding venue.

Herold Wines is a place of passion, people, and purpose, tucked into the mountains where the Garden Route meets the Klein Karoo. For visitors willing to take the scenic Montagu Pass from George, the reward is a winemaking story that proves great Pinot Noir does not require a famous postcode — just the right mountain, the right altitude, and the right people.