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Theuniskraal, one of Tulbagh’s best-known wine farms, has a history as interesting, and as old, as the village itself. As the story goes, in 1699 three families settled in this valley created by the Obiqua, Winterhoek and Witzenberg mountains. One of the families had a son named Theunis who was granted land to the north of the present-day village. His property was originally named Theuniskuyl, but by 1785, when vines were already being cultivatedhere, the name had changed to Theuniskraal
In 1927 the widow Jordaan from De Doorns bought the farm for her two sons, the older one Andries farming at Theuniskraal, and the younger Harry at Agenda, a portion of the original farm.
The private wine industry at that time was almost non-existent, but Andries was determined to make good wine. By the 1940s he was shipping respectable quantities of wine in bulk to London. Great wooden vats were sent out to the Cape by sea and then on to Tulbagh by rail where they were filled with wine and sent back again the same way.
In 1948, the estate launched a Riesling (CapeRiesling) that two years later was awarded a gold medal on the Commonwealth Wine Show in London. Today Theuniskraal Riesling remains an extremely popular wine, while an unwooded Semillon/Chardonnay isfast gaining ground. Nowadays the whole family works on Theuniskraal. Kobus and Rennie, sons of Andries Jordaan, are still involved in the vineyard and cellar while their wives, Rosette and Annelie, handle marketing and administration. The next generation has continued the tradition, with AndriesJr now winemaker and his cousin Wagner concentrating on viticulture.
LOCATION
The farm Theuniskraal is situated about 7km north of the village of Tulbagh, tucked into the WinterhoekValley which is formed by the WitzenbergMountains to the east, the Obiqua range to the west and the WinterhoekMountains to the north.
These mountains form important watersheds and are the main sources of the three most significant rivers in the Western Cape, the Berg, Breede and Oliphants. The second highest peaks in the Western Cape are also found in these mountains. Situated 2050m above sea level, they are regularly snow-clad in winter, giving the vines the opportunity to go into proper dormancy, essential for late-budding varietals such as Cape Riesling and Chardonnay. Intense cold leads to more even budding in spring, which beneficiallyimpacts on grape quality.
Currently, there are 140 hectares under vine, planted to ten varietals. All vineyards are trellised and receive supplementary irrigation. The most significant varietals on the farm areCapeRiesling, Chardonnay and Semillon.
WINEMAKER PROFILE
As the fourth-generation Jordaan on the farm, Andries Jr came to winemaking as a matter of course. Trained at the University of Stellenbosch, he has gradually taken over the responsibilities in the cellar from his father, Rennie, who still helps out during the harvest and when needed.
“My first priority is to make top quality wine,” says Andries, “but on a broader scale, I would also like to help bring about a change in the wine drinking culture amongst South Africans,” he continues, “by encouraging people to drink moderately every day.” To this end, Theuniskraal wines are well priced but represent consistently good quality. They are created as food wines, designed to be enjoyed with a wide variety of dishes and occasions.
