Named after a legendary South African pioneer, Andrew Bain, who built the road that connected the Cape to the north of the country and ran through the Wamakersvallei (valley of the wagons) where in 1941 a group of like-minded grape growers founded a central cellar for the pressing of their grapes. The cellar grew its members and boasted a variety of fine wine brands for an even wider variety of wine lovers. Their Chenin is made from grapes that come from bush vine vineyard, picked at optimum ripeness from about 24°B (Brix – a measurement of sugar). After the crush, the juice was left on the skins for 3 to 5 hours to encourage aromas and flavours and then pressed.

Nestled at the foot of the mountain after which it is named, Saronsberg wine estate is a contemporary addition to the rich heritage of Tulbagh valley ? an ancient wine region situated 120 kms north-east of Cape Town. It was formed late in 2002, with the aim of producing exceptional wines that express the character and quality of their unique origin. In October 2003, Dewaldt Heyns joined as winemaker ? just in time to witness the final construction of Saronsberg?s cutting edge cellar and avant-garde tasting room. Harvest of the maiden vintage began on 25 January 2004 at 06:01 (Dewaldt misjudged the one minute walk from his house to the cellar), when the farm?s first Sauvignon Blanc grapes were gathered.