Saxenburg Wine Farm

Africa was a wild and untamed place when Joachim Sax first made his way up to the hills above the Kuils River, some 30 kilometres east of the Dutch settlement at the "Cape of Good Hope". The year was 1693, and Sax was one of only 350 "free burgers" (free farmers) granted land by the 9th Dutch Governor, Simon van der Stel.

Together with his wife, Susanna, Sax had arrived some two years before from his native town of Egeln, in Germany. He immediately set about planting vines, and built the original manor house in 1701. Four years later he sold the farm to Olaff and Albertus Bergh. The name Saxenburg developed from these early pioneers.

Almost three centuries were to pass before the historic farm was acquired by the Bührer family from Switzerland - Adrian, his wife Birgit and their children. They, along with their close working team, have revived the proud family tradition of Saxenburg's historic past.

Situated on the hills above Kuils River between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the vineyards enjoy ideal soil and climatic conditions aided by the cool breezes from False Bay during the summer months. Combined with this is our policy of summer pruning which results in low-yield vineyards and consequently grapes of the highest quality.

Saxenburg farm is over 200 hectares, with some 90 hectares planted to vineyards. The largest plantings are denoted to Shiraz, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Pinotage. The balance is made up of Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Franc and Malbac, respectively.

In 1998 Adrian and Brigit looked at many farms and decided on Saxenburg as it was in their price range and Adrian could see the potential of the farm, which had become rundown in the 1980s. They also preferred not to buy a well-established farm where they could not add their personal touch. Birgit recalls that the homestead, although lovely, was totally neglected and very damp.

The Bührers didn't use an architect for the restoration and building done at Saxenburg. They bought many books, studied Cape architecture and followed a good example of building a wall from those in a very old and original kraal on the farm. When necessary, they did consult engineers, and of course did so for the building plans of the new structure.