Thelema Mountain Vineyards - Premium Wines from Stellenbosch

Mountain-grown estate wines with defined aging structure

Positioned along the Helshoogte Pass, the estate cultivates vineyards at notable elevation above the valley floor. Marked diurnal shifts encourage slow ripening and refined tannin development. The wines consistently reflect mountain freshness and measured concentration.

The range features structured Cabernet Sauvignon, textured Chardonnay, and carefully assembled blends. Estate and reserve tiers allow selection according to complexity and maturation potential. Purchase sought-after vintages online with reliable delivery options.

Viticulture emphasizes low yields, canopy balance, and selective harvesting. Individual vineyard blocks are fermented separately to preserve site expression. Oak integration remains subtle to maintain varietal clarity.

Learn more about Thelema

Vineyard Thelema Mountain Vineyards

Founded in 1983, the winery has earned recognition for disciplined production and consistent quality. Approximately 100 hectares of vineyards extend across varying altitudes with decomposed granite soils. These conditions foster concentrated berries and firm structural backbone in both red and white varieties.

Red wines are fermented under controlled temperatures before maturing in French oak barrels chosen for grain and toast precision. Selected white lots undergo barrel fermentation and lees aging to enhance mouthfeel without excess weight. The winemaking approach favors balance, longevity, and transparent fruit definition.

The portfolio is organized to guide buyers from approachable estate bottlings to more complex reserve releases. Detailed product data assists collectors in assessing drinking windows and cellaring strategy. Secure online ordering ensures direct access to current and limited releases of Thelema Premium Wines.

Vineyard facts

Year of established:

1983

Address:

R310 Helshoogte Rd, Stellenbosch, 7600

Geo data address:

-33.90774372378749, 18.922415091264465

Acreage:

95 ha

Why you should visit:

Scenic mountain setting along Helshoogte Pass.
Access to estate and reserve bottlings.
Focused insight into altitude-driven viticulture.

Phone:

+27 (0)21 885 1924

Vineyard website:

https://www.thelema.co.za

Thelema Mountain Vineyards – Entrance area to the winery

Thelema Mountain Vineyards: The Classic!

It was the pleasure of a Burgundy Puligny Montrachet that prompted Gyles Webb to put aside his calculator, give up his career as an accountant and become a winemaker. After graduating in oenology from Stellenbosch University, he worked on many wine farms in South Africa and around the world.

Thelema Mountain Vineyards – Emotion, landscape at the vineyard

Winery Profile

Owner:
Familie Barbara & Gyles Webb

Cellar master:
Gyles Webb

Winemakers:
Rudi Schultz, Duncan Clarke

Location
Stellenbosch / South Africa

Thelema Mountain Vineyards – Exterior view of the winery

Gyles & Barbara Webb - Owner of Thelema Mountain Vineyards Winery, Stellenbosch, South Africa

How it all began at Thelema...

In 1983, Gyles and his wife Barbara purchased Thelema, a somewhat run-down fruit farm.

Rudi Schultz

Winemaker at Thelema

Gyles Webb, Rudi Schultz & Duncan Clark

Gyles, Rudi and Maik cater to almost every taste with their wines. Whether crisp, fresh, fruity whites or deep, complex reds. The typical characteristics are very restrained, classic and elegant.

Duncan Clark

Winemaker at Thelema

Crescenda

Tasting Room Manager

Crescenda

Crescenda, Thelema's experienced tasting room manager. Crescenda is an expert in wine tasting and guides participants through the tasting with passion and near-perfect German.

Thomas Webb

Gyles' son is now the most important member of the winery, responsible for sales and administration. The small family business has grown into a sizeable family corporation.

Thomas Webb

Sales and administration

Gyles Webb - Winemaker & owner of Thelema Mountain Vineyards Winery, Stellenbosch, South Africa

A Toast to Gyles

In 2019, he was honoured as a legendary winemaker. An award for his life's work!

GYLES WEBB´S PHILOSOPHY

Intervene as little as possible in the winemaking process. His recipe is loving neglect. Clarification and filtering are kept to a minimum!

He also believes in good wood quality, which is why you will find quality barrels from France in his cellars, both at Thelema and at Sutherland, the second label in Elgin.

The Thelema brand

The first wine under the Thelema name was launched in 1988, five years after the purchase of the old fruit farm. Since then, Gyles Webb has achieved a unique success story with his brand, winning many awards. As a newcomer to the industry, he has worked hard to earn respect in the South African wine market and is now one of South Africa's most respected winemakers.

The Phoenix

In many cultures, the phoenix rising from the ashes symbolises rebirth, renewal or immortality. What a beautiful emblem for a wine brand. Edna and David McLean ran the small Phoenix Garden Hotel when their daughter Barbara married Gyles Webb. After the couple bought the run-down fruit farm, it rose like a phoenix from the ashes. What's more, the bird has been part of the Webb family crest for centuries. Can all this be a coincidence?

The term Thelema

first appeared in the novel ‘Gargantua’ by the French monk Francois Rabelais in 1534. Rabelais was also a writer and wrote about a free monastery, the Abbey of Thélème. It was a free-spirited monastery for men and women. Rabelais incorporated all his humanistic ideas into the book, with plenty of humour and irony. This free, monastic world view was the inspiration for the Thelema wine brand.

Tasting Room - Emotion, wine enjoyment with wine bar

THE SUTHERLAND BRAND

While the Thelema brand was growing and thriving in Stellenbosch, Gyles felt it was time for a new challenge. In 2002, he purchased an apple farm in the cool Elgin region. There, he planted mainly Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The cold maritime climate ensures slower ripening times and thus elegant minerality and concentrated fruit aromas in the wines.

Sutherland wines - Enjoy the best grape quality

Thelema Sutherland Lisa Grenache Noir 2017

Thelema Sutherland Lisa Grenache 2017

€29.95*

Product number: 401846-17

Content: 0.75 Liter (€39.93* / 1 Liter)

Available, delivery time: 1-3 days

Thelema Sutherland Reserve Petit Verdot 2020

Sutherland Thelema Reserve Petit Verdot 2019

€29.95*

Product number: 400887-20

Content: 0.75 Liter (€39.93* / 1 Liter)

No longer available

Details Details

Super Single Vineyards Mount Sutherland Syrah 2018

€29.95*

Product number: 400579-18

Content: 0.75 Liter (€39.93* / 1 Liter)

No longer available

Details Details

Tasting Room - Emotion, Wine list of the Sutherland range

TASTE IT!

Picturesquely situated in the vineyards – Thelema's new tasting room.

A place to linger and enjoy.

Tasting Room Thelema – Emotion, interior view

Tasting Room Thelema – Emotion, exterior view of terrace

OPENING HOURS

Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays and public holidays: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sundays: closed
+27 21 885 1924
tastingroom@thelema.co.za
GPS: 33°54′30″S 18°55′23.4″E