SylvanVale Winery

The Family History of SylvanVale

SylvanVale is the name given to the vineyards surrounding the historic Devon Valley Hotel. Built in 1947, the hotel is a well-known Stellenbosch landmark, and generations of Stellenbosch residents have fond memories of enjoying a drink or a meal while sitting on the hotel patio overlooking the vineyards. These vineyards now produce the SylvanVale wines for the Louis family.

Grapes have been grown on the property since the 1960s. Today SylvanVale offers some of the finest quality vineyards in the valley. The south-east-facing slopes, with their rich red soils and cool Atlantic breeze, produce superb Pinotage Cabernet and Chenin Blanc cultivars.

Winemaker Lorna Hughes

Viticulturist Lorna Hughes, who has been instrumental in the renaissance of the property, implements a program of total quality management, with rigorous bunch selection throughout the year. This results in intensely flavored and ultra-ripe fruit, the basis of SylvanVale's big, bold wines.

From the 2003 harvest, the production of SylvanVale wines moved from Martin Meinert's Devoncrest cellar to the new cellar at Monterosso, with Mark Carmichael-Green now filling the position as winemaker.

SylvanVale produces a range of handmade 'boutique' wines, including the superb full-bodied Pinotage Reserve, matured in new French oak; a crisp and fruity dry Rose made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon; and the rich but dry Chenin Blanc.