T r e m o r s f r o m b e l o w , e v e r y s o o f t e n

Saronsberg's History

H o w i t a l l b e g a n

Despite the modern nature of our facilities and our progressive approach to winemaking, Saronsberg will always be inextricably linked to the history of the land and the valley of which it forms a part.

Flanked on all sides by mountains in the Upper Breede River Valley, Tulbagh is utterly unique in its topography and natural beauty. It was this special character that attracted the first settlers here over three hundred years ago, and the same quality led to the selection of Tulbagh as the site for Saronsberg winery. Recognising the distinctive terroir and potential of the valley, Saronsberg has joined the mission initially led by Nicky Krone’s cellar to prove the region’s capacity for producing wines of outstanding quality.

The farm is on fire

Soaking rootstocks before planting

We plant 13 ha of new vines

When mountain meets man

We start with the earthworks

Hope the cellar is ready before the grapes

Planting new vines

"The immediate construction of a cellar was not part of the initial plan, but a wild fire two months after the acquisition of the farm meant the original strategy of gradually replanting vineyards had to be re-assessed."

Saronsberg consists of

t w o f a r m p o r t i o n s f o r m e r l y k n o w n a s W a v e r e n a n d W e l g e g u n d

The farm originally formed part of the beautiful and historic Twee Jonge Gezellen (TJG) until it was divided between the two Krone brothers in the 1950s. Waveren and Welgegund, which lie on either side of TJG, were acquired in 2002 and renamed after the commanding mountain whose slopes are home to a portion of their vines: Saronsberg. The two sites are distinctly different in terroir, with broad disparities in altitude, aspect, soil type, wind and rainfall patterns and temperature producing grapes with strongly contrasting characteristics. The immediate construction of a cellar was not part of the initial plan, but a wildfire two months after the acquisition of the farm meant the original strategy of gradually replanting vineyards had to be re-assessed.

Although the farm’s best vineyards – most located on a section of Welgegund known locally as “Die Erf” – were saved, a more assertive planting programme was initiated in 2003. Fatefully, this allowed newly appointed winemaker Dewaldt Heyns to reverse some outdated viticultural thinking, as he reconstituted his vineyards using the experience he’d accrued since the first day he set foot in a vineyard as a young boy on his father’s grape farm in Malmesbury.

On 25 January 2004, Saronsberg’s winemaking history officially began with the harvest of our first Sauvignon Blanc grapes – a momentous occasion that was celebrated 2 weeks later with a harvest party, then again the following year when Saronsberg reaped numerous awards for the 2004 vintage.

Although the farm’s best vineyards – most located on a section of Welgegund known locally as “Die Erf” – were saved, a more assertive planting programme was initiated in 2003. Fatefully, this allowed us to reverse some outdated viticultural thinking, as he reconstituted his vineyards using the experience he’d accrued since the first day he set foot in a vineyard as a young boy on his father’s grape farm in Malmesbury.

In such a short period of time

T r e m e n d o u s M i l e s t o n e s

August 2002

The Beginning

Early one Monday there is a fax in the machine. A fruit farm is for sale in Tulbagh.
About a month later we learn that our offer has been accepted and are completely overwhelmed by the idea. What now? For now, it’s decided to continue with fruit orchards and systematically plant vineyards.