Buitenverwachting

Coastal region,  South Africa

When you manage to get your tongue around it, Buitenverwachting (bay-ten-fur-vachk-ting) is Dutch for “Beyond Expectation”. And the estate certainly is. Nestled at the base of the east facing slopes of the imposing Constantiaberg Mountains, it’s also just a few miles from the azure blue of False Bay. The farm’s history dates back to 1773, but it’s the last twenty-odd years that have been its golden age. Since 1982, the property has been extensively renovated and replanted, and now yields an average crop of five tons per hectare. Beyond expectations, indeed.
Farm proprietor is Lars Maack.
Cellarmaster is Herman Kirschbaaum
This beautiful farm on the east-facing slopes of the magnificent Constantiaberg and barely 12km from False Bay, originally formed part of the Constantia Estate, which was founded by Simon van der Stel, the first Governor of the new Dutch colony at the tip of Africa.
First sold as a 200 morgen sub-division to Cornelis Brink in 1773, Buitenverwachting changed hands all too often. And yet it flourished as a wine farm, due mainly to the 90 000 vines planted in 1825 by Ryk Arnoldus Cloete, brother of the famous Hendrik Cloete of Constantia.

From 1866, the fortunes of Buitenverwachting were inextricably linked to those of the Louw and Lategan families. One of the most colourful characters was Oom Danie Lategan, whose trademark was the freshly picked camelia he wore on his lapel every day. It was his daughter, Olivia Lategan, who was to forge the link between the Lategans and the Louws. Born at Buitenverwachting, she returned as mistress of the farm when she married George Louw.
Imbued with a sense of history, the Mueller family has retraced the roots of Buitenverwachting. The farm was lovingly restored to its former glory while extensive planting of the most selected of cultivars was initiated. The result was a maiden grape harvest of 100 tonnes - the first harvest the farm had seen in 30 years. An historic achievement that lived up to its name: Buitenverwachting - "Beyond Expectation".
A small block of Hanepoot table grapes which still bears fruit despite its ripe old age of nearly 100 years, has been retained as a growing tribute to the heritage of Buitenverwachting.

See Buitenverwachting wines we sell

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