“I want people to drink my wines and think of these mountain ranges, unique and untouched.”
David Nieuwoudt, winemaker
Cederberg lies at over 1000 metres altitude, one of South Africa’s highest wineries, surrounded by a very unique and dramatic landscape. To produce any wine at all here, let alone make some of South Africa’s most admired wines, is testimony to the passion and commitment of owner/winemaker David Nieuwoudt, fifth generation Nieuwoudt at the farm.
Conservation is fundamental at the farm and Cederberg is a committed member of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative. As a result of the farm’s remote location, the vines are by nature virtually organically grown. The wines have a unique purity of fruit and freshness which has become the Cederberg trademark.
Location
Cederberg
South Africa
Key facts
Size: 54 ha
Climate: 12 Deg C (Min) 29 Deg C (Max)
Altitude 950 to 1100 m.a.s.l
Cederberg Cellars
At Cederberg, red wine production constitutes 60% of production and white wine 40%. Cederberg is one of only four South African estates to have Bukettraube under vine, a cross between Sylvaner and Trollinger. This wine has slowly built up quite a following with its exotic fruit and delicate character proving popular with Asian influenced cuisine. The Sauvignon Blanc is a fruity wine with capsicum flavours and the trademark Cederberg flinty finish. The Chenin Blanc is one of the most successful examples in the Cape and is unusual because it spends five months on Sauvignon Blanc lees. The Five Generations Chenin is a step up in richness with an almost Puligny like intensity, complexity and elegance.
As for the reds, the Shiraz is multilayered and rich with spiced fruit whilst the Cabernet Sauvignon combines luscious dark blackcurrant fruit with subtle mint and tobacco leaf undertones. The Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon is even more impressive with immense power and structure that allow it to age effortlessly.
Ghost Corner, Elim
Not content with making award-winning wines in the Cederberg, David Nieuwoudt spotted the huge potential of Elim, a small and promising maritime region within the Cape Agulhas district, close to South Africa's most southerly point. Elim and the Cederberg have one thing in common and that is a cool climate. Ghost Corner’s outstanding white wines have pioneered a new style for South African white wine. This pair of wines is less fruity than the Cederberg whites with more green fruit and savoury characters. Skin and lees ageing enhance their richness.
Awards
Chenin Blanc 2012 – Gold at Veritas Awards 2012; Gold at Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2012
Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – Gold at Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2011; Gold at Concours Mondial de Sauvignon 2012
Ghost Corner Semillon 2009 - Gold Medal at IWSC 2011; 90 Points, Neal Martin, Wine Advocate; Top 100 SA Wines 2011
Cederberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Gold at Veritas Awards 2011; Top 100 SA Wine 2012; Red Wine of the year at SAA Wine Selections 2013
Cederberg Shiraz 2009 – Gold at Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2011; Gold at Veritas Awards 2012; Top 100 SA Wines 2012