Porterville Wine Cellars

Porterville Wines:

This is a land of extremes.  The hot dry summers are ideal for ripening the fruits of the vines.  Winter rainfall is around 550mm per annum and summer irrigation is essential.  The agricultural soil of the area is mainly Malmesbury shale, while the cooler mountain and valley areas are composed of quartzite sediments from the Table Mountain Series.  Dramatic rock formations in the mountains contrast sharply with the gently undulating plains of wheat below.

The winery subscribes to a stringent viticulture and grape selection programmes, employing modern farming methods to keep the vineyards in premium conditions and produce a true product of nature.  The area is known for its full flavoured, deeply coloured and robust wines.  The mains varietals grown in the area are Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Colombard, but Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon also excel in certain areas.  The area produces award-winning Pinotage wines and new noble cultivars, such as Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, are being produced in greater volumes to satisfy the demand for quality red wines.

The cellarmaster and winemaker of the Porterville Winery play a major role in the planting and managing of the vineyards on the farms in the region, ensuring that the cellar receives the correct quantities and quality of each varietal.  With this wide selection at his disposal, Porterville’s winemaker combines grapes from different areas – selecting and blending to create the characterful wines that the market demands.

Visitors will be welcomed with true Swartland hospitality at the Porterville Wine Cellar, which boasts a beautiful tasting room suitable for large groups.  The warm, relaxing atmosphere here turns simple wine tasting into a truly memorable occasion.  Even more enjoyable would be to coincide a visit with the arrival of the steam train which journeys to the cellar twice a month during the summer season, bringing exuberant local and foreign visitors to follow a wine tasting with all the hearty pleasures of the traditional braai (barbecue).

The arts of warm hospitality and winemaking have gone hand in hand for millennia, and guests will find this traditional alive and flourishing at the Porterville Wine Cellars. 

Visiting hours:

Monday to Friday:  08:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00;
Saturday:  08:00-11:00