Manley Wine Estate

Manley Wine Estate sits in the Tulbagh Valley, ringed by the Witzenberg, Winterhoek and Obiqua mountain ranges, in one of the most dramatically beautiful settings in the Western Cape. The estate takes its name from the middle name of its founder, David Manley Jordan, who purchased the property in June 1996. Jordan had farmed in the Free State and spent fifteen years sailing the world on a yacht before he and his wife Esther chose Tulbagh as the place to put down roots. They arrived to find dairy cows and sheep on the land, and set about upgrading facilities, building a dam, and planting the first vines that would transform a pastoral property into a registered wine estate.

Parts of Manley date back to the 1860s. The main thatched Manor House reflects French Huguenot homes of the late nineteenth century rather than the classic Cape Dutch architecture more common in the Winelands. This architectural heritage gives the estate a distinctive character that distinguishes it from its neighbours.

In August 2020, Manley Wine Estate and Private Cellar were acquired by Markus Ehehalt, a former Bosch engineer from Germany who brought great enthusiasm for wine and a deep love for the Tulbagh area. Under Ehehalt's ownership the estate has continued to invest in quality, appointing winemaker Joshua van Blommestein, who received many years of training and experience at Saronsberg Cellar before joining Manley. Together they have pushed the wines forward while respecting the terroir that makes Tulbagh unique.

Sustainable, organic farming defines the vineyards. The estate takes environmental responsibility seriously, implementing 100% waste recycling measures, releasing its first vegan wines, and switching completely to renewable energy sources. Organic accreditation underpins the commitment. The grape varieties include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, with the estate recognised as a specialist in Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, organic wines and Sauvignon Blanc.

The Taste Restaurant operates on-site, while accommodation spans bed and breakfast rooms and self-catering family cottages, all bookable through Nightsbridge. A chapel and function venue make the property a sought-after wedding and events destination. The on-site dam adds to the scenic appeal.

Manley is open seven days a week, with extended Friday evening hours until 22h00. The estate ships wine nationally with free delivery on orders above R1,000. From a sailing man's dream to an organic wine estate under German ownership, Manley's story is one of reinvention guided by the enduring appeal of Tulbagh's mountain-ringed valley.