Our History
Napier Winery, set in a magnificent valley close to Wellington in the Western Cape, owes its name to Sir George Napier, Governor of the Cape of Good Hope from 1837 to 1843. It was Napier that christened the quaint rural town after the famous Duke of Wellington.
Our People
Present owner, Michael Loubser, purchased the farm in 1989. In a short while facilities on the farm were upgraded. A modern winery was built, followed by a modern maturation and fermentation cellar. The new millennium added a brandy distillery, and alongside quality, handcrafted wines, now stands the Sir George potstill brandy.
Napier Winery, under the careful eye of viticulturist, winemaker and estate manager, Leon Bester, strives to make premium wines (red and white) that rank with the best in the world, while reflecting the warmth of their African roots. Grapes are grown on the farm, picked and sorted by hand, and vinified with great care.
Our Terroir
Half of the 66 hectare farm is under vines. During the upgrading process, careful consideration was taken not to damage the indigenous green ‘footprint’ that lives alongside the vineyards. Seven dams provide plenty of irrigation water for the vineyards. Grape varieties include: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Colombar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Shiraz.
Our Labels
The passion and quest for quality follows the grapes into the wine making process. Each wine produced, carries the symbol of a bead on its label. From earliest times wine and beads have shared a long tradition in ritual, ceremony, trade and celebration. To reflect this tradition, Napier Winery chose the African bead as the emblem for its premium single vineyard block Napier (single bead) and commercial Lion Creek (multiple beads) wine labels and the Sir George Napier crest for the ultra premium wine & potstill brandy labels.
Our Wines
Sir George ultra premium wines
The Sir George Brandy is made according to the traditional potstill method from the 35 year old Chenin Blanc grapes on the farm. After distillation it is matured in European oak barrels for a patient five years before release.
The Sir George Qintas captures the essence of quality, innovation, nature, terroir, ability and science. The result is an ultra premium red wine made from the finest quality grapes and best two barrels selected by our winemaker which will showcase the best of what Napier Winery has to offer.
Napier premium wines
A distinctive premium Chenin Blanc made from a single vineyard block, low yielding 40 year old semi bush vine Chenin Blanc grapes and is bottled under the Greenstone label.
A premium single vineyard Chardonnay, made from a single block identified by our winemaker. The wine has been matured in the cellar for one year in French oak barrels and one year in the bottle prior to release. The wines are bottled under the Saint Catherine label.
The Red Medallion is a premium Bordeaux blend consisting of the noble 5 varieties - the grapes have been carefully selected and nurtured by our winemaker. The wine has been matured in the cellar for two years in 300 liter French oak barrels and two years in the bottle prior to release. A superior red blend and has been quoted by the famous Bordeaux specialist Andrew Jefford as “The La Tour of the Cape”.
The Cabernet Sauvignon is a premium Cabernet Sauvignon made from a single vineyard block identified by our winemaker. The wine has been matured in the cellar for one year in French oak barrels.
Lion Creek commercial wines
The Lion Creek Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot is a fruity easy drinking red blend consisting of a 50:50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend. The wine has been matured in a combination of 2nd and 3rd fill barrels and oak staves.
The Lion Creek Cabernet Sauvignon is an easy drinking Cabernet Sauvignon that matured one year in a combination of barrel and oak staves - a well structured and accessible wine.
The Lion Creek Sauvignon Blanc & Chenin Blanc is a fruity white blend consisting of a 50:50 Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc blend.
The Lion Creek Chenin Blanc is a tropical fruit driven Chenin Blanc.
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