Old Road Wine Co.

Old Road Wine Co. was born in 2017, when Tim Hutchinson -- CEO of Douglas Green Bellingham (DGB) -- and a small group of shareholders set out to create a brand that would honour the heritage of old vines in the Franschhoek Valley. The first wines were released in November 2018, and within a few years the label had established itself as one of the most compelling new-generation producers in the Western Cape.

The name pays homage to the old main road that runs through Franschhoek, where the cellar stands. It is a road walked by French Huguenots who arrived in the late 1600s, planting vines in granite, sandstone, and alluvial soils warmed by a continental climate. Old Road Wine Co. picks up where those pioneers left off, specialising in wines from certified heritage vineyards and old vines that carry the mysterious, intangible character only decades of rootstock can produce.

Head winemaker Ryan Puttick grew up on a crop farm near Hartswater in the Northern Cape. After studying viticulture and oenology, he worked vintages across South Africa and California before joining Old Road Wine Co. What sets his style apart is an intuitive understanding of old vines -- he treats each vineyard as a unique terroir, working to ensure the wine reflects its origin rather than the winemaker's hand. In 2023, Puttick was recognised at the SA Terroir Awards for his work with site-specific wines.

The portfolio is arranged in three tiers. The Originals range honours Franschhoek Valley heritage, with each wine recalling the stories of legendary characters who shaped the community -- accessible, characterful wines for everyday drinking. The Elite range draws from the Swartland, producing bold, expressive wines with concentrated flavours and rich textures unique to that terroir. At the pinnacle, the Single Vineyard range comprises three limited-production wines from certified heritage vineyards: the Stone Trail Chenin Blanc from vines planted in 1982, the Grand-Mere Semillon from La Colline vineyard planted in 1936 at an extraordinary density of 7,000 vines per hectare, and the Pepper Wind Syrah from Franschhoek.

The tasting room and restaurant are located on the old main road in the heart of Franschhoek village, making Old Road Wine Co. a stop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram route. The venue operates as a live music space on certain evenings, with lunch and dinner service, pizza, and vegetarian options. The relaxed, quirky atmosphere sets it apart from the valley's more formal estates -- this is a place where wine, food, and music converge.

Old Road Wine Co. holds Wine Club membership and an online shop, extending its reach beyond the Franschhoek tasting room.