Porseleinberg

Porseleinberg, a unique single vineyard Syrah, stands apart from others due to its distinctive characteristics. The vineyard is situated in an area dominated by pure blue schist bedrock, which poses challenges for root penetration and growth due to its horizontal layers. With minimal topsoil and limited rainfall during the growing season, the region’s hot and arid climate further adds to the difficulties faced by the vines. Consequently, yields are consistently low.

The vineyard, located on steep slopes with varying elevations of around 200-250m above sea level, offers breathtaking panoramic views and is exposed to the elements. Despite the harsh conditions, the altitude provides some cooling influences. Since the mid-1990s, Syrah has been cultivated here, supplying grapes to renowned growers in the region. Boekenhoutskloof, the well-known South African winery behind wines like Chocolate Block, acquired the property in 2008, expanding it from 16 to over 130 hectares. While most of the grapes are used for Boekenhoutskloof Syrah and Chocolate Block, Porseleinberg produces only a fraction of the total crop. Currently, the annual production of Porseleinberg is around 20,000 bottles, with expectations of quality improvement as the young vines mature over time.