Kleine Zalze Wine Estate

Kleine Zalze traces its origins to 1695, when Nicolaas Cleef -- a German settler from Grosszalze who had cleared and cultivated 57 morgen of land along the Blaauwklippen River near Stellenbosch -- received freehold title from Governor Simon van der Stel. Cleef had already planted 7,000 vines by 1692, making this one of the earliest wine-producing properties in the Cape. The farm passed through generations of the Conterman, Krige, and Du Toit families over the next three centuries before Gilbeys Distillers consolidated the land into what became known as Kleine Zalze.

The modern era began in 1996, when Kobus Basson and his family purchased the property with a simple philosophy: success begins in the vineyards. They renovated the cellar, replanted the vineyards, and set about building a premium Stellenbosch wine brand. In September 2022, ownership passed to AdVini, a world-renowned French wine company, opening a new chapter while preserving the estate's identity.

Today, Kleine Zalze is managed by Carina Gous, a respected figure in the Cape wine industry with more than 30 years of experience. In the cellar, RJ Botha leads a team of three winemakers -- Natalee Botha, Hanri Ferreira, and Carla van Wyk -- alongside viticulturists Henning Retief and Anel Botha. This depth of talent was recognised when Kleine Zalze was named Platter's Winery of the Year in 2021, and the estate followed with four Double Golds and the Best Achiever award at the Veritas Awards 2022.

The wine range spans five distinct tiers. The Cellar Selection offers accessible, fruit-driven wines for everyday enjoyment. The Heritage Vineyards range highlights old bush vines from across the Western Cape, including Old Vine Chenin Blanc and a Cinsault Pinotage blend. The Vineyard Selection draws on carefully farmed single vineyards for wines of complexity and cellaring potential. The Family Reserve tier represents the flagship bottlings -- limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc from exceptional single vineyards matured in the finest oak. At the pinnacle sits Project Z, an experimental collection born in 2013 from discussions between then-owner Kobus Basson and the winemaking team, using Italian amphorae and concrete eggs to push the boundaries of expression. A Cap Classique range of bottle-fermented sparkling wines completes the portfolio.

The Kleine Zalze Restaurant, under chef Nic van Wyk, offers a holistic food and wine experience. The menu changes regularly, built around a Taste, Explore, Relax concept that lets guests choose portion sizes -- from tapas-style bites to full main courses -- each naturally paired with the estate's wines. The restaurant serves lunch daily and dinner on Fridays, with both terrace and contemporary indoor seating.

The Wine Tasting Centre sits between the winery and restaurant, offering nine different tasting experiences: from a Cellar Selection flight at R90 to a Family Reserve tasting at R195, with themed journeys through Cabernet, Chenin, and Cap Classique in between. Knowledgeable wine advisors guide visitors through the range under the vines or oaks in summer, or inside during winter.

Situated on Strand Road within the De Zalze Golf Estate, Kleine Zalze pairs its 120 hectares of estate vineyards -- exposed to cool Atlantic breezes just 15 kilometres from the coast -- with suite accommodation, a gift shop, and an online store. The estate holds both IPW and WIETA sustainability accreditations, and welcomes families, couples, and solo travellers alike.