Mother Sippy: Raise a glass to help!

Tucked into the Slanghoek Valley near Rawsonville, Opstal is one of Breedekloof’s benchmark producers and is a leading light of the South African cellars, showing the potential of Chenin Blanc. The estate has also become increasingly recognised for site-specific wines, with Carl Everson Chenin Blanc the rightful flagship in winemaker Attie Louw’s cellar. After more than 700mm of rain over one weekend, Opstal saw heavy damage to buildings and vineyards. When the mop-up is done, why not plan a weekend at their delightful Opstal Stay cottages too?

Order this: Carl Everson Chenin Blanc. Made from old vines planted in 1982, this is one of Breedekloof’s most notable Chenins: textured, mineral and a perfect expression of Slanghoek terroir. Buy it here.

Springfield is one of Robertson’s cult names: a family-run estate in the heart of the valley, owned by the Bruwer family and known for its hands-off ‘Made on Honour’ winemaking. Its wines have a loyal following, and I am a fan of the Whole Berry Cabernet Sauvignon and Méthode Ancienne. But for most wine-lovers it’s the Life from Stone Sauvignon Blanc that stands out. Sadly, at Springfield the flood damage was serious. Up to 90 hectares of Springfield vineyards were underwater at one stage, with 20 hectares of newly-planted Sauvignon Blanc vineyards completely washed away. If there’s one to buy, it’s that.

Order this: Life from Stone Sauvignon Blanc. Grown in quartz-rich rocky soils, this is Springfield’s signature white: flinty, mineral and unmistakably Robertson. And, at R146 for this level of quality, it’s a steal. Buy it here.

Set in the Scherpenheuvel ward outside Worcester, Alvi’s Drift is a third-generation family estate deeply rooted in the Breede River Valley. The farm’s story goes back to 1928, when Albertus Viljoen van der Merwe bought land on the banks of the Breede River… a river that rose to metres above what was thought to be the 100-year-floodline on the farm. Over the past decade or two, Alvi’s Drift has become well-loved for wines that punch well above their price point. The floods have brought heavy losses to the farm, with the estate already hit by floods in 2023 and 2024. 

Order this: Alvi’s Drift Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. This wooded Sauvignon Blanc was named among the FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 in 2024, and its creamy texture, white-peach fruit and bright lemon acidity are a good eminder that this corner of the Cape is about more than Chenin and Chardonnay. Buy it here.

Set at the foot of the Du Toitskloof Mountains just outside Rawsonville, Deetlefs is the second-oldest family-owned wine estate in South Africa, with seven generations of history dating back to 1822. The estate is known for its Familie, Estate and Stonecross ranges, as well as rare collector wines such as the delicious Muscat d’Alexandrie. A month’s rain in 36 hours saw vineyards devastated and roads swept away.

Order this: Deetlefs Familie Red. It’s the estate’s flagship red, and a properly impressive expression of Pinotage. It’s a premium wine, with a price to match, but a great choice if you want to be generous in supporting one of the Cape’s historic family producers. Buy it here.

One of Robertson’s best-known names, Van Loveren – Time Out recently chatted to one of the ‘Four Cousins’ – sits on the road between Robertson and Bonnievale and has grown into one of South Africa’s leading family-owned wine businesses. It’s famous for accessible, crowd-pleasing ranges such as Four Cousins, as well as more premium wines under the Christina label. The May floods swept through large parts of the property, with water reaching nearly two metres through sections of the winery, damaging warehousing, vineyards, stock and equipment.

Order this: Christina Chardonnay. It shows a more serious side of Van Loveren and is proof of the skill in the cellar here. Hand-harvested from selected vineyards and made with care and detail, it shows why this family cellar is far more than a supermarket staple. Buy it here.

Just outside Bonnievale, Weltevrede is another one of Robertson’s great Chardonnay addresses. The Jonker family has farmed here since 1912, and under fourth-generation winemaker Philip Jonker the estate has built a strong reputation for terroir-driven Chardonnay and Cap Classique.

Order this: Weltevrede Calcrete Chardonnay. It’s a strong example of why the Robertson soils have made the estate synonymous with Chard’. Buy it here.

Few Robertson estates are as closely associated with the Breede River as Viljoensdrift, where wine tasting and river cruises have long made it a relaxed weekend favourite. Unsurprisingly, they were hard hit and are among the farms in serious need of support. Their River Grandeur range – ironic, we know – has picked up plenty of awards across Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Order this: River Grandeur Cape Blend. A Cape Blend means a red wine led by Pinotage, and here it’s neatly balanced with the richness and spice of estate-grown Shiraz. A perfect wine for winter! Buy it here.

Home to the Bruwer family for almost a century, Bon Courage produces everything from noble whites and classic reds to award-winning Cap Classique from vineyards that run right alongside the Breede River. So you know what happened next. I’ve always loved their range of wines, as well as the laid-back vibes at Café Maude, but it’s their bubbly that you’ll find in my delivery this month.

Order this: Jacques Bruére Blanc de Blancs. This vintage Cap Classique is one of Bon Courage’s signatures: 100% Chardonnay, full of crisp flavours, yeasty richness, and real finesse. Buy it here.

If your budget doesn’t stretch to one of the Breede Valley’s premium bottles, and you want great wine at pocket-friendly prices, Bonnievale Wines is your go-to. While the river may have wreaked havoc in and around this small farming community, perhaps fittingly, The River Collection is the cellar’s calling card. The range spans a choice of cultivars, but we think you’ll love…

Order this: The River Collection Chenin Blanc. It’s affordable, bright and local, with citrus, peach and sun-dried fruit notes. It also feels apt: a Breede River wine from a producer whose recovery is tied to the same river landscape. Buy it here.

If Robertson has a first family of Chardonnay, De Wetshof is it. The first registered wine estate in the Robertson Wine Valley, this family-owned and run estate lies close to the Breede River… that used to be a boon, but this year meant it was in the firing line of floodwaters. As with its neighbouring estates, vineyards, roads, pump houses and winery infrastructure were all hit. DeWetshof is known far and wide for Chardonnay, from the widely loved Limestone Hill to the age-worthy Bateleur. You decide, but we’d suggest…

Order this: Bateleur Chardonnay. From limestone-rich soils, Bateleur is one of De Wetshof’s benchmark wines, known for the ability to age for years. Buy it here.