Our Discover series takes us to the Southern hemisphere this month, as we head to Robertson in South Africa. Located about 160km east from Cape Town, Robertson is a popular weekend escape for urbanites, but is also very popular with wine-loving tourists from all over the world.  

Graham Beck and Springfield lie on opposite ends of Robertson, and both wineries have been part of the Bibendum family for more than 20 years.

The town was established in 1852, and the Victorian homes are testament to a long history. Together with Jacaranda-lined streets and views towards the Langeberg Mountains, Robertson is one of the prettiest towns on the Route 62.

The Valley of Wine and Roses

Mountain views surround Robertson

If you drive through Robertson in summer, you’ll quickly see why it has earned this nickname. Rose bushes dot the town as well as the winding roads that lead to the many famous wineries.

Farmers began to graze sheep in the area in the 18th century, eventually leading to the establishment of a town in 1852. It has been particularly suited for racehorse stud farms and vineyards, all thanks to the limestone soil that Robertson is known for.

The variation in soil types gives Robertson wineries plenty of options when it comes to site selection. Rich, alluvial soils near the Breede River are mainly used for the production of red wine, while red, gravelly soils are best suited to white varieties. However, Chardonnay specifically thrives on the pockets of limestone found throughout the Robertson Valley. High levels of lime in the soil are known to give a certain minerality to the wines, not dissimilar to wines from Chablis.

The (mostly) dry Robertson landscape

This semi-arid region experiences very hot and dry summers, with moderate rainfall, and would typically be considered too hot for wine-production. However, the relief comes from an Indian Ocean breeze, since the region is only 90km from the ocean. This cooling effect allows the grapes to retain a balanced amount of acidity, and prevents overripening. While daytime temperatures can easily get up to 30°C, evenings are much cooler, and this diurnal temperature variation lets the grapes cool down overnight, allowing them to retain acidity while still developing rich flavour profiles.

Win(e)d down

Yes, Robertson boasts plenty of wineries and you could easily spend a few days hopping from one winery to the next, but it also offers plenty for people who enjoy the outdoors.   

Arangieskop trail, with Robertson in the distance

The surrounding mountains and hills offer plenty of hiking and mountain biking opportunities, and the town has even played host to the famously challenging Cape Epic mountain bike stage race. The Arangieskop and Fish Eagle hiking trails are the most well-known hiking routes, and will reward you with beautiful views of the valley.

Owl's Rest Olive and Lavender Farm

Robertson is not only suited for growing grapes, and a number of olive farms such as Owl’s Rest or Marbrin can be visited to stock up on golden olive oil and delicious preserved olives or tapenade. Keen gardener? Sheilam Nursery, which has been recognised by authorities as owning one of the finest collections of cacti and succulent plants world-wide, is also open to visitors.

Graham Beck

As you enter Robertson from Cape Town, Graham Beck is nestled into the hills, blending into the red soil and green ‘veld’ bushes. Over the years, Graham Beck has become synonymous with Cap Classique (traditional method sparkling wine made in South Africa), with former cellar master Pieter ‘Bubbles’ Ferreira leaving no stone unturned to produce the perfect bubble in every vintage. Having joined the cellar in 1990, he has been with the team since the very first vintage in 1991. Recently, it was announced that Pieter has been promoted to COO of Graham Beck, with Pierre de Klerk stepping in as new cellar master.

Since that first vintage, their portfolio has not stopped growing. The Non-Vintage Collection, Vintage Collection and Prestige Collection are well-known and beloved, and recently they have launched their Artisan Collection. It currently consists of a limited edition twin pack, with Yin (a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay) and its counterpart Yang (a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir), and there are plans for more experimentation in this collection.

The estate is located in a unique transition zone between two distinct ecosystems, creating an interesting and challenging environment. It sits at the site where two continents collided millennia ago, adding even greater significance to the estate and its micro-climate. “The unique dry, cool climate of Robertson, combined with the rich limestone soils, produce wine with universal appeal and star quality,” says Pieter.

Springfield Estate

Springfield is easy to spot as you drive out of Robertson towards Bonnievale, with red roofs catching your eye from the road. It has been in the same family since 1898, with brother-and-sister team Abrie and Jeanette Bruwer currently in charge.

The Springfield philosophy is to produce wine as naturally as possible. There are many different types of soil on the estate – some areas are very rocky, consisting of about 70% quartz rock, forcing the vines to battle for survival; of course, that allows them to produce the best grapes possible.

The cellar, which  dates to 1902, is also testament to their ‘back to basics’ winemaking approach. No pumps, crushers or presses are used in their red wine cellar; instead grapes are transported using gravity flow. They are also fermented whole, to prevent potential spoilage or damage. Most of the wines are fermented using natural wild yeasts found on the grape skins, and this high-risk method of winemaking leads to lost vintages every few years. However, there’s nothing better than the resulting wine when this experimentation pays off. Their Life from Stone Sauvignon Blanc has reached icon level, and their Méthode Ancienne Chardonnay has converted many members of the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) club!