Riche, Le
Summary
Le Riche is a boutique family winery in Stellenbosch producing around 10,000 cases annually, specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon from carefully selected vineyards with decomposed granite and sandstone soils at 200-400 meters elevation. Their traditional approach features hand-sorting, open-top fermentation, extended maceration periods, and extended oak aging, with their Reserve Cabernet receiving 24 months in predominantly new French oak barrels.
Heritage & Leadership
Le Riche Wines was established in 1996 when Etienne Le Riche, after 20 years as cellarmaster at Rustenberg Estate, founded his own winery in Stellenbosch within South Africa's Coastal Region. The winery began as a small family operation focused exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting Etienne's specialized expertise with this variety. In the years following its founding, Le Riche developed a reputation for producing site-specific Cabernet Sauvignon wines that express the distinctive terroir of Stellenbosch.
Today, Le Riche operates under second-generation family leadership. Etienne's son, Christo Le Riche, serves as winemaker and managing director, having formally joined the family business in 2010 after gaining experience in France, Australia, and California. Yvonne Le Riche, Etienne's daughter, manages the marketing and business operations. While Etienne has stepped back from day-to-day operations, he remains involved as a consultant, providing continuity to the winemaking philosophy he established.
Vineyards & Wines
Le Riche does not own extensive vineyard holdings but instead sources grapes from carefully selected vineyards throughout Stellenbosch's sub-regions, with particular focus on the Jonkershoek Valley and the Helderberg. This approach allows the winery to access diverse terroirs within Stellenbosch, each contributing different characteristics to their wines.
The winery's portfolio centers on Cabernet Sauvignon, with their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon representing their flagship offering. They also produce a standard Cabernet Sauvignon and a red blend called Richesse, which incorporates Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. In 2008, Le Riche introduced a Chardonnay to their range, expanding beyond their red wine focus.
The vineyards from which Le Riche sources are primarily situated at elevations between 200-400 meters above sea level, with soils consisting of decomposed granite and sandstone—conditions particularly favorable for Cabernet Sauvignon cultivation in the Stellenbosch region. The Mediterranean climate of the area, moderated by cooling ocean breezes, provides optimal growing conditions for developing complex flavor profiles in their wines.
Philosophy & Practice
Le Riche's winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention and traditional techniques. The winery focuses on expressing the distinctive character of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon through careful grape selection and attentive winemaking. Their approach involves hand-sorting grapes, using open-top fermenters for red wines, and implementing gentle extraction methods to preserve fruit integrity.
For their red wines, Le Riche employs extended maceration periods to develop structure and complexity. The flagship Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon undergoes 24 months of aging in French oak barrels, with approximately 70% new oak. Their standard Cabernet Sauvignon receives 18 months in French oak with a lower percentage of new barrels, typically around 25-30%.
The winery maintains a small-scale production model, producing approximately 10,000 cases annually across their range. This limited production allows for meticulous attention to detail throughout the winemaking process. While not certified organic, Le Riche implements sustainable farming practices in the vineyards they work with, focusing on soil health and biodiversity to enhance grape quality and vineyard longevity.