Bonnievale Cellar

Bonnievale Cellar (also known as Bonnievale Wines or Bonnievale Winery) is a formidable co-operative enterprise with a proud history in the fertile Breede River Valley. As one of the heartbeat cooperatives of the South African wine industry, Bonnievale produces large volumes of exceptional quality wine while maintaining the co-operative ethos of making wines from grapes supplied by grower members who are also shareholders. The winery conforms to fundamental, age-old winemaking ethics, and through cultivating this ideology with love of the land, creative expression, expert proficiency, and passion for excellence, they continually realize their purpose of seamless synergy between vine and wine. Under the leadership of CEO and winemaker Christo (who joined in July 2023), an experienced winemaker, industry leader and agricultural economist known for his work as chair of the SA National Wine Show Association and organizer of major competitions including Terroir, Young Wine Show and Veritas, Bonnievale has upped the ante with premium offerings. Chris heads up winemaking at the Bonnievale division, having joined in September 2019, and loves harvest time when he can unlock the cellar doors to magnificent tropical aromas. The cooperative uses best quality fruit from vineyards in diverse, cultivar-matched locations across the region – this is the essence of their ability to make exceptional wines that people enjoy. Bonnievale has recently launched Limited Release wines at ambitious price-points that prove cooperatives can play in the big leagues. The Limited Release Chardonnay 2019 (R95) and Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (R140) showcase the region’s terroir with guaranteed varietal authenticity. The Chardonnay benefits from Robertson’s highest limestone content and moderate sunny climate, while receiving no malolactic fermentation and restrained wooding for seven months to capture the essence of stony chalk, rolling hills and firm summer breeze. The practice of winemaking has evolved since Jan van Riebeeck made the Cape’s first wine in 1659, but Bonnievale maintains basic principles while shifting focus from grape farming to wine growing, delivering unpretentious wines that consistently exceed expectations.