Hartenberg – Shiraz, Chardonnay and Winegrowing Since 1692 in Stellenbosch

Gravel Hill, The Stork and The Eleanor from the Bottelary Hills

Winegrowing has been going on at Hartenberg since 1692, today in Stellenbosch on the north-eastern slopes of the Bottelary Hills. Shiraz is at the centre: Gravel Hill and The Stork are regarded as top wines from Hartenberg, and with The Eleanor there is a single-vineyard Chardonnay as well. Cool breezes from False Bay and regenerative farming shape the vineyards.

Pour yourself a glass of Stellenbosch: here you can buy Hartenberg wine, from the Doorkeeper Shiraz through Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to the Chardonnay The Eleanor.

Learn more about Hartenberg

Vineyard Hartenberg

Winegrowing Since 1692

The first vines were planted on the farm Het Hartenberg in 1692.[1][2] In 1704 Christoffel Esterhuizzen received the title deed from Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel.[1]

In 1948 the Cape Town pathologist Maurice Finlayson bought the property with his wife Eleanor. After her trip to the Rhône Valley in 1964, the first Shiraz was planted.[1]

Ken Mackenzie bought the estate in the mid-1980s. It still belongs to the Mackenzie family today.[1][2]

On the North-Eastern Slopes of the Bottelary Hills

Hartenberg lies on the north-eastern slopes of the Bottelary Hills in the Bottelary ward of Stellenbosch. The ward is considered the warmest and driest in Stellenbosch, moderated by cool breezes from False Bay.[1]

The estate lies in a valley of its own.[2] About 250 metres of elevation separate the northern and southern blocks.[1]

The higher, cooler blocks suit white wines, while the dry conditions and granite soils suit Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.[1] Between nine and twelve soil types have been mapped, including gravel, granite, clay and terra rossa.[1]

A wetland of around 60 hectares is protected, and a trail leads through it.[3]

The red varieties grown are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Mourvèdre, and the white varieties are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling.[1]

Shiraz as a Signature

In 1968 Hartenberg released the first commercial Shiraz in South Africa and has bottled every vintage since.[1]

Gravel Hill is regarded as South Africa's first single-vineyard wine and as the estate's top Syrah.[1] The 2017 vintage matured for 19 months in barrel, 60 percent of it new.[4]

The Stork comes from clay-rich soils. The 2019 vintage matured for 20 months in barrel and received 93 out of 100 points.[4] Even the 2004 vintage came from a single vineyard on red clay.[2]

The Megan 2017 is 66 percent Shiraz, 21 percent Grenache and 13 percent Mourvèdre. It matured for 18 months in barrel.[4]

Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon

The Eleanor comes from a single vineyard planted in 1997 with the CY95 clone.[4] The 2020 vintage matured with 45 percent new oak and received 95 out of 100 points.[4]

The 2020 Chardonnay spent eleven months in barrel, 15 percent of it new. The 2020 Riesling was made in stainless steel with six months on the lees.[4]

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon matured for 18 months in barrel, half of it new, and received 93 points. The 2018 Merlot also spent 18 months in barrel, 60 percent of it new.[4]

The Mackenzie 2017 is 93 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 percent Cabernet Franc and 3 percent Merlot. It matured for 19 months in barrel, half of it new, and received 95 points.[4]

Regenerative Farming

Hartenberg runs a regenerative farming programme meant to increase the productivity of the land and its biodiversity.[4] Controlled grazing is central: since 2017 the estate has kept cattle whose hooves, grazing and manure are meant to improve soil health.[4]

Vineyard facts

Year of established:

1978

Address:

Bottelary Rd, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch, 7605

Geo data address:

-33.89793413490389, 18.792160505970617

Acreage:

187 ha

Our recommendation:

Hartenberg Shiraz

Why you should visit:

Guided wine tastings invite visitors to explore Hartenberg's distinctive wines, from fresh estate releases to rare mature vintages
The Farm Eatery serves seasonal dishes made with local ingredients, while picnics among the vineyards and spacious lawns offer a relaxed Winelands experience
Exclusive underground cellar tours and Vinoteque tastings provide fascinating insights into the estate's history and its collection of rare mature wines
Regenerative vineyards, blooming fynbos gardens and restored wetlands make Hartenberg a unique destination for wine lovers and nature enthusiasts alike

Phone:

+27 (0)21 865 2541

Vineyard website:

https://www.hartenbergestate.com/

Frequently Asked Questions about Hartenberg

Where is Hartenberg located?

Hartenberg lies on the north-eastern slopes of the Bottelary Hills in the Bottelary ward of Stellenbosch.[1] The address is Bottelary Road, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch.

Since when has wine been grown at Hartenberg?

The first vines were planted in 1692.[1][2] The first Shiraz followed after Eleanor Finlayson's trip to the Rhône in 1964.[1]

Who owns Hartenberg?

The estate has belonged to the Mackenzie family since the mid-1980s.[1][2]

Which grape varieties grow at Hartenberg?

The reds are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Mourvèdre, and the whites are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling.[1]

What is special about the Hartenberg Shiraz?

In 1968 Hartenberg released the first commercial Shiraz in South Africa and has bottled every vintage since.[1] The 2019 Shiraz matured for 19 months in barrel, 15 percent of it new, and received 90 out of 100 points.[4]

What is The Stork?

The Stork is a Shiraz from clay-rich soils.[4] The 2019 vintage matured for 20 months in barrel and received 93 points.[4]

What is Gravel Hill?

Gravel Hill is the estate's top Syrah and is regarded as South Africa's first single-vineyard wine.[1] The 2017 vintage matured for 19 months in barrel, 60 percent of it new.[4]

What is The Eleanor?

The Eleanor is a single-vineyard Chardonnay from a vineyard planted in 1997 with the CY95 clone.[4] The 2020 vintage matured with 45 percent new oak and received 95 points.[4]

Which red wines are there besides Shiraz?

The range includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and The Mackenzie, a Cabernet Sauvignon blend with Cabernet Franc and Merlot.[4] There is also The Megan, made from Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre.[4]

Which Hartenberg wines can I buy from you?

In our range you will find, among others, the Shiraz, the Doorkeeper Shiraz, the Doorkeeper Sauvignon Blanc, the Chardonnay, the Cabernet Sauvignon, the Merlot, The Eleanor Chardonnay and the Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz. Some vintages are temporarily unavailable.