Axe Hill Winery - Winery

Axe Hill Winery, Established in 1994 in the Region of Klein Karoo

Axe Hill Winery was set up by Tony Mossop and his wife, Lyn, in 1994, at an estate on the outskirts of Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo. The name of the winery comes from the stone hand tools found on the estate and potentially used by prehistoric people in the area. Calitzdorp is locally known as “The Port Capital of South Africa” because the region has produced exquisite fortified wines for a very long time. Calitzdorp is an important viticulture area in the Klein Karoo wine region.

The winemakers at Axe Hill Winery use traditional winemaking methods to produce their wines, such as treading on the grapes by foot for proper extraction of juice and phenolics.

The Winery Growing Portuguese Varieties like Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, and Souzã

Lyn and Tony Mossop planted the first vineyards at the winery in 1994 and produced the first vintage of wine in 1997. Winemaker and owner since
2007, Mike Neebe, takes care of the farm and winery operations. The climate, soil, and rainfall in the region are perfect for the cultivation of vines. Grapes are handpicked and crushed lightly. The grapes are macerate in open Lagares, such as Portuguese winemaking traditiona suggests, and they tread on the grapes by foot for proper extraction of juice and phenolics, depending on the style of wine required. The wines age in French oak barrels and are bottled two years after harvest. They mainly grow Portuguese grape varieties like Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, and Souzã. Axe Hill Winery also has a small Grenache terraced vineyard. Only the best grapes go into the production of their savory reds, white, and fortified wines.

Axe Hill Winery Won for the Best Cape Vintage Port in 2012

Axe Hill Winery won the inaugural Tony Mossop Trophy for Best Cape Vintage Port at the 2012 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. Their maiden vintage, 1997 Axe Hill Cape Vintage Port, received five stars at the John Platter Wine Guide. Six more of their wines have also achieved the prestigious 5-star rating. We invite you to explore the depth of their wines and the beauty of their estate.