JP Bredell Wines

Closely guarded by the Helderberg's peaks and cooled by fresh sea breezes off False Bay, the legendary JP Bredell Wines have become world-renowned for their award-winning quality wines, outshining others in their class, both nationally and internationally.

Traditionally famous as port producers, the best kept secret of JP Bredell Wines is probably that, since 1970, they've also been making world-quality red wines. Most of these wines, produced by Helderzicht farm, were supplied to KWV for further maturation, and from there they were exported across the globe.

As these wines more than exceeded international standards, JP Bredell Wines decided in 1996 to retain some of its best reds and market them directly to the South African public under the prestigious JP Bredell label.

Coveted awards for the superlative quality of JP Bredell's red wines have proved over and over again that they have gained appreciation in the most knowledgeable circles.

It has been found that the Western Cape Coastal belt in specific the Helderberg Basin with it's poor, hungry and well-drained soils are the most suitable for the making of port.

The soils are not too fertile and the vines benefit greatly from the cooling sea-breezes that move through the valley just off False Bay in the warm summer days which leads to wines with a full character and subtle nuances.

Port production began as early as 1933. In 1942 KWV in co-ordinance with Stellenbosch University's Agricultural Sciences Department chose Helderzicht for experimentation with 9 different port cultivars, imported from Portugal. So similar where Helderzicht's climate, soil and drainage conditions to those of Pinhao in the lower Douro area, that there was little doubt that this farm had the potential of producing port on par with the world's best.

The Bredell family took over the Helderzicht farm in 1965 and started improving the existing vineyards, while establishing the Bredell name amongst port producers in South Africa.

The largest quantities of Port were marketed by KWV. Since 1989 small quantities of the best port are selected, matured, bottle and sold from the farm. Anton Bredell the winemaker's main passion is in the making of 'vintage port' to sell under his own label. Today Bredell's Port is appreciated the world over. Originating from Tinta Barocca, Souzao and newly planted Touriga Nacional varieties, Bredell's Port is produced in the traditional lager style, ensuring a close similarity with the Portuguese original, but still retaining a distinct South African character.

Admired in the most appreciative circles, JP Bredell Wines also produce world-renowned red wines such as Shiraz, Pinotage and Merlot.

Experience a heritage of excellence when you visit JP Bredell Wines and we promise you an unforgettable reward.

Anton Bredell started his career as an agri-financial specialist and winemaker after obtaining his degree at the University of Stellenbosch. In 1988, he took over the duties as winemaker on the family farm Helderzicht on Winery Road in the renowned Stellenbosch wine lands region.

In 1991, Anton bottled his maiden vintage port under his own label. This was followed in 1996 with the release of this first red wine under the now prestigious Bredell label. Anton has twice won the General Smuts Trophy for Champion wines at the S.A National Young Wine Show - in 1993 with a Cabernet Sauvignon, and in 1998 with his Vintage Port.

Anton chooses to exchange the strength and hunter's instinct he uses when spear fishing for the artist inside when working his wines in the cellar. With a policy of producing wines without additives, finings, or interference during the winemaking process, Anton is a firm believer in God's hand in both the cellar and in the vineyards. He also tries to capture "Yin and Yang" throughout.

With his passion, perseverance and a talent to produce multiple award-winning wines, this humble giant of the wine industry warns us that there may be few fireworks exploding from the Bredell cellar in the not-too-distant future!