Meticulous vineyard and cellar management practices play a pivotal role in their success. Viljoensdrift’s wide variety of soil types, including deep alluvial, calciferous-rich soils, enables them to establish the right cultivar on the right soil to ensure top quality wines.  Current emphasis is on re-establishing noble varietals.  “We are extremely blessed to have rich soils ideal for the production of a variety of red and white cultivars,” says viticulturist Manie Viljoen.  “Our grape growing and winemaking actions honour the specific terroir which enables us to produce world-class wines with distinctive flavours.”

The red-white cultivar ratio sees a 50/50 split, with Shiraz leading the way in area under vines, followed by Pinotage and Merlot.  During the course of 2009 another 4 hectares of Merlot were planted, bringing the total for this variety to 9.3 hectares while the first 2 hectares of Cabernet Franc have taken root. Two hectares each of spicy French Petit Verdot and Portuguese Tinta Barocca will further diversify the estate’s portfolio which also includes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, White Muscadel, Colombar and Sémillon.