Beyerskloof

Beyerskloof lies in the heart of one of the world's classic red wine areas, Stellenbosch, in the Cape Winelands of South Africa. From its carefully tended vines come wines of international class. Only the finest quality grapes are selected, and then treated in the cellar with unhurried expertise and time-honoured techniques to produce wines of exceptional character. Beyerskloof wines are exclusive, made in quantities small enough to ensure the winemaker's undivided attention. Since it's humble beginnings in 1989, Beyerskloof has become synonymous with excellence. It's a label that guarantees quality.

'Beyerskloof Pinotage is a juice extracted from women's tongues and lions' hearts. After drinking a sufficient quantity, one can talk forever and fight the devil.'

Beyerskloof cellarmaster and part-owner, Beyers Truter made his reputation as a winemaker at Kanonkop Estate

• in the 1980s. But he wanted an opportunity to spread his wings and fly solo. He wanted to "work in oak to prove that we, in South Africa, have the fruit that can take 100% new oak and produce wine to compare with the French First Growths". Three others shared Beyers' vision and had faith in his ability to bring that vision into reality. They explored the Cape Winelands for a suitable property, and found a perfectly situated farm in the Koelenhof area of the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin Region.

The find neatly completed an historical circle broken 103 years previously. The farm was called Nooitgedacht, and had belonged to the Beyers family for five generations until Jan Andries Beyers sold it in 1895. Beyers Truter is a direct descendant (on his mother's side) of Jan Marthinus Beyers who owned the farm from 1849, so he became the sixth generation to farm this particular land. The name of the new venture wasn't hard to decide on - Beyerskloof. (A kloof is a wooded ravine or valley.)