The history of Nederburg dates back to 1791, the year it was established in the Western Cape of South Africa, making it one of the country’s oldest wine estates, known for its pioneering spirit and commitment to quality.
Originally founded by an immigrant from Germany, the estate has played a significant role in shaping South Africa’s winemaking industry, blending traditional methods with innovative techniques to produce award-winning wines. Over centuries, Nederburg has built a reputation for excellence, sustainability, and a rich heritage that reflects the diverse terroir of the region, making it a symbol of South Africa’s vibrant wine culture.
Fast Facts About The History Of Nederburg:
Nederburg has a framed copy of the original title deed, showing the granting of the farm to founder, Philippus Wolvaart on December 1, 1791 by the Dutch East India Company (DEIC). No-one is sure why, but he named the farm after DEIC commissioner, Sebastiaan Cornelis Nederburgh. Later, the “h” was dropped from the spelling of the farm’s name and it became Nederburg.
Wolvaart paid 5 600 guilders for the land that lay between the Berg and Palmiet rivers and measured 57 morgen and 300 square roods. He planted grapes to make wine and brandy. He also envisaged and built a beautiful and gracious family home. Sadly, his wife died in 1798, before she could experience the elegant H-shaped, gabled residence he had built for her. Completed in 1800, it is now a national monument and continues to assume pride of place on the farm.
Nederburg changed hands over the decades and when it was bought in 1937 by Johann Graue from Germany, he expanded the property by acquiring neighbouring land. Today the winery draws fruit from its own three farms, as well as a meticulously selected network of top Cape growers.
Graue had been a director and part-owner of the Haake-Beck Brewery in Bremen before coming to South Africa. (You can see the influence in the Nederburg crest, which features crossed anchors, an adaptation of the arms of the Haake-Beck Brewery, where Becks Beer is still made today.)
Apart from his brewing expertise, Graue was also tea specialist. His background led him to understand the very clear relationship between the quality of the grapes reaching the cellar and the eventual wine. He was one of the very first in South Africa to focus on identifying top-performing grape clones in his bid to advance quality. He also introduced the process of cold fermentation for better fruit flavour and vitality and was rewarded with many prizes on local wine shows.
Graue sent his son, Arnold to study winemaking in Germany. He returned and showed enormous promise, accelerating his father’s award-winning reputation but his life was cut short in a light aircraft accident in 1953.
Arnold was succeeded by Günter Brözel, also from Germany, who pioneered South Africa’s first noble late harvest wine. Because its residual sugar levels were higher than those permitted by legislation at the time, the only way the authorities would permit its sale was via auction and that is how the Nederburg Auction, now known as the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, was born in 1975.