Beyerskloof
Summary
Family-owned Beyerskloof, established in 1988 by Beyers Truter in Stellenbosch, spans 180 hectares across two properties with diverse granite and shale soils, focusing primarily on Pinotage which comprises 60% of their plantings. Under the leadership transition from Beyers to his son Anri, the estate balances traditional and innovative winemaking techniques while maintaining its status as a Pinotage pioneer whose quality-tiered portfolio has helped define standards for South Africa's signature grape variety.
Heritage & Leadership
Beyerskloof was established in 1988 when winemaker Beyers Truter, along with four investors, purchased a 98-hectare farm in the Koelenhof area of Stellenbosch, South Africa. The winery takes its name from its founder, with "kloof" referring to a ravine or valley in Afrikaans. Truter, who previously made his mark as cellarmaster at Kanonkop, brought with him extensive experience and a particular passion for Pinotage, South Africa's signature grape variety.
In 1998, the winery expanded with the acquisition of a second property, and Beyers Truter became the sole owner of Beyerskloof in 2003. His son, Anri Truter, joined the winemaking team in 2009 after completing his studies at Stellenbosch University and gaining international experience. Today, Beyers serves as chairman and cellarmaster, while Anri has taken on the role of winemaker, continuing the family legacy.
Beyerskloof has played a significant role in elevating the status of Pinotage both domestically and internationally. Beyers Truter's dedication to the variety earned him the nickname "King of Pinotage" after becoming the first South African winemaker to win the International Winemaker of the Year award at the 1991 International Wine and Spirit Competition.
Vineyards & Wines
Beyerskloof's vineyards span 180 hectares across two properties in Stellenbosch, situated within South Africa's Coastal Region. The main farm in Koelenhof features predominantly decomposed granite soils with clay subsoils, while the second property on the Bottelary Hills contains more shale components. These diverse soil profiles contribute different characteristics to the wines, with the granite soils providing structure and the shale adding aromatic complexity.
The vineyards are planted primarily to Pinotage (60%), with the remainder dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and small amounts of Shiraz and Cinsault. Vine ages range from newly planted blocks to mature vineyards over 25 years old, with the oldest Pinotage vines dating back to 1988. The vineyards sit at elevations between 150-300 meters above sea level, benefiting from cooling Atlantic Ocean breezes that moderate the warm Mediterranean climate.
Beyerskloof produces a focused range of wines, with Pinotage as the centerpiece. Their portfolio includes the entry-level Pinotage, the reserve-tier Diesel Pinotage (named after Beyers' beloved Staffordshire Terrier), and the flagship Faith—a Cape blend containing a minimum of 40% Pinotage. The winery also produces varietal Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines, as well as a Field Blend that combines multiple varieties from a single vineyard block.
Philosophy & Practice
Beyerskloof's winemaking philosophy centers on expressing the unique character of Pinotage while maintaining consistency and quality across their range. The winery employs both traditional and modern techniques, with fermentation taking place in a combination of stainless steel tanks and open-top concrete fermenters. For red wines, manual punch-downs are performed during fermentation to extract color and tannin, followed by gentle pressing.
The aging program varies by wine tier, with the standard Pinotage spending 9-12 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels (20% new), while the premium Diesel Pinotage ages for 18-24 months in predominantly new French oak. The Faith blend undergoes 18 months of maturation in 100% new French oak barrels. Before bottling, all wines are fined and filtered to ensure stability and clarity.
Beyerskloof implements sustainable farming practices throughout their vineyards, including cover cropping between rows to prevent erosion and improve soil health. Water conservation is prioritized through drip irrigation systems that minimize usage while maintaining vine health. The winery has also invested in solar panels to reduce their carbon footprint and dependency on South Africa's national power grid.
Beyers Truter founded the Pinotage Association in 1995 to promote the variety and improve its quality standards across South Africa. This commitment to advancing Pinotage extends to Beyerskloof's own experimental program, where they continually test different clones, vineyard practices, and winemaking techniques to refine their approach to this distinctively South African grape variety.