The Cape Winelands is where flavour, history, and natural beauty converge—rolling vineyards, elegant wine estates, and a sense of adventure in every glass. It’s no surprise that this region has become one of South Africa’s top destinations for travellers. Around every bend you’ll find a wine estate with excellent wine, delicious food, and scenic escapes.

And if there’s one wine estate that captures the full magic of the Cape Winelands, it’s Fairview. With vineyards in Paarl, Darling, and the Swartland, and grapes sourced from as far as the Piekenierskloof, Fairview offers a rare, multifaceted taste of the Cape’s most expressive wine regions; all from a single, accessible destination. It’s the perfect place to begin (or deepen) your journey through South African wine.

Now, from the cool Atlantic slopes of Darling, comes a new expression of that diversity: Fairview Altesse 2024.

What Makes the Cape Winelands Special?

Few wine regions in the world offer as much diversity as the Cape Winelands. Here, altitude, ocean breezes, and ancient soils create ideal conditions for growing a wide range of grape varieties, from bold reds to vibrant whites. The proximity to both mountains and the sea shapes wines with freshness, structure, and a strong sense of place.

The climate varies dramatically from valley to coast. Inland, the warm days and cool nights favour robust reds like Shiraz and Pinotage. Closer to the ocean, in places like Darling, cool breezes and morning fog allow varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon to thrive; resulting in layered, expressive white blends. It’s in this corner of the Cape that Fairview found inspiration for a new classic.

Discover Fairview Altesse 2024 • A Wine Estate Reimagines the Classics

Part of Fairview’s Regional Revival Range, Altesse 2024 is a fresh take on the famed white blends of Bordeaux, but with a distinct Cape identity. It’s crafted on the rolling vineyards of Darling, where the vines face the Atlantic and grow in step with the sea breeze.

The blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon captures the essence of the coast. Sauvignon brings zesty citrus and ocean-spray freshness. Sémillon adds depth, silkiness, and structure. Together, they create a wine that is elegant yet full of energy; with notes of white peach, orange blossom, and that unmistakable maritime salinity.

The label itself tells the story: a vintage-style postage stamp, complete with a lighthouse overlooking waves and vineyards, signalling the blend’s roots in the cool coastal hills of Darling. It’s a wine born from origin, defined by terroir, and shaped by Fairview’s restless pursuit of quality.

Food pairings? Try Altesse with grilled prawns, slow-roasted chicken, or aged cheese. It has the complexity to pair with rich flavours but the freshness to drink effortlessly.

→ Buy Fairview Altesse 2024 Online
→ Shop All Fairview Wines

Inside the Bottle – Winemaking & Tasting Notes

Fairview Altesse 2024 is crafted with precision and place in mind. A blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45% Sémillon, it reflects both the vibrancy of the Darling coast and the quiet intensity of a wine made with care. “Altesse symbolises ‘altitude and sea’ the two greatest influences on Darling’s terroir,” explains Charles Back. “It’s a wine rooted in place, shaped by the wind, and refined by time.”

The grapes were harvested early from Fairview’s best sites on the Alexanderfontein and Lanner Hill farms. These high-altitude vineyards overlook Yzerfontein’s distant breakers and benefit from deep, lime-rich red soils and constant maritime influence. “These conditions extend the ripening window, allowing the fruit to retain acidity while developing complex flavour,” says Cellarmaster Anthony de Jager.

Gently whole-bunch pressed before sunrise, the juice was settled for 48 hours. The Sauvignon Blanc was fermented and aged on gross lees in stainless steel for nine months, adding mineral precision. The Sémillon component was barrel-fermented in 500L French oak and matured for nine months, building roundness and texture.

In the glass, Altesse is straw-green with aromas of citrus, green fig, and herbs. The palate offers lime zest, nettle, and sea salt, lifted by the Sauvignon’s freshness and deepened by the Sémillon’s soft oak and rich mouthfeel. A vivid example of South African wine with site-driven character, made by a wine estate with decades of coastal vineyard experience.

Must-Visit Vineyards and Wine Estates in the Cape

Whether you’re exploring wine farms in Stellenbosch for lunch or looking for Franschhoek wine estate restaurants, the Cape offers plenty of incredible options—but Fairview stands out for its combination of wine, food, and farm charm.

Located in Paarl, Fairview is more than a cellar door. It’s a full experience:

• A world-class tasting room with guided wine and cheese pairings

• The Goatshed Restaurant, one of the most beloved Winelands restaurants

• A working goat farm, home to the famous Goat Tower

• And a rich heritage of innovation, storytelling, and characterful wines

Few wine estates in South Africa can match Fairview’s range—from flagship reds and Rhône-style whites to site-specific small-batch wines like Altesse. And for those searching for “vineyards near me” while in Cape Town, Fairview is only about an hour away.

→ Visit the Fairview Tasting Room
→ Dine at the Goatshed Restaurant
→ Plan Your Visit

Tips for Planning Your Cape Winelands Wine Trip

When to Visit:
The best months are September to April for sunny days, outdoor lunches, and vineyard views. Harvest time (Feb–March) offers added excitement.

Where to Stay:
There are countless charming farm stays, boutique hotels, and guesthouses in Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek—all close to Fairview.

Getting Around:
Hiring a car or driver is the most flexible way to explore the region. Many estates are located on scenic routes easily accessed from Cape Town.

Dining:
Many visitors search for lunch restaurants on wine farms in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek—but don’t miss Fairview’s Goatshed, which offers hearty, local, seasonal fare perfect for pairing with wine.

Bonus Tip:
Make time for Darling too. Known for its cool climate and coastal charm, it’s where Altesse is grown and one of the most exciting areas for South African white wines today.

Conclusion: Fairview – A Wine Estate Where the Cape Tells Its Story

Fairview Altesse 2024 is more than just a new release. It’s a reflection of place, climate, and curiosity. A wine rooted in Wine of Origin Darling, shaped by the ocean, and crafted to reimagine tradition with a distinctly Cape character. Whether you’re a local looking for wineries near me, a foodie seeking wine farms in Franschhoek with restaurants, or a traveller planning a Cape wine escape—Fairview belongs at the centre of your journey.

→ Explore Fairview’s Wines Online
→ Plan Your Visit to the Estate

The post Wine Estate Spotlight: Fairview Altesse 2024 appeared first on Fairview.

Today we are overjoyed to introduce you to a wine inspired by another Fairview icon... Oom Pinnes.

Years ago, we made an incredibly well-loved and critically acclaimed wine called Oom Pagel. The wine was an oaked Semillon, affectionately named after a man who worked at Fairview all his life and with whom Charles had a special friendship. Oom Pagel was a descendant of the Malay slaves brought to the Cape by the Dutch, and Charles was fascinated by his stories, which spanned a century of life and times at Fairview. Although he never drank a drop, Semillon was his very favourite grape variety due to the big, juicy berries he would sample from the vineyard next to his home.

 

 

Oom Pagel's family, comprising the Adams and Fortuin families, has a seven generation connection with Fairview, with many of his descendants still employed in the winery, cheese factory, and administrative office to this day. With this Semillon, we honour his grandson, Oom Pinnes, who sadly passed away last year. Oom Pinnes officially worked at Fairview for over 45 years but would often be found helping in the cellar long after his retirement. It seems fitting to release this wine at this time, as his great-granddaughter, Clarissa, has just completed her first harvest in the Fairview cellar.

Hand-picked in the early morning and delivered cold to preserve the delicate flavours. The whole bunches are gently pressed, allowing for a natural fermentation in 500L French oak barrels. After nine months of aging in these oak barrels, the wine is bottled without stabilisation or filtration, ensuring its purity and authenticity. As a result, harmless sediment may occur, a testament to its natural crafting process and minimal intervention.

 

 

This Semillon presents a bright, pretty yellow colour with a green tinge. The nose bursts with aromas of lemon and lime, honey, and crushed seashells, complemented by brioche notes from the oak. On the palate, you'll find flavours of gooseberries, citrus, and sweet oak, finishing fresh with a long, savoury aftertaste. It is drinking beautifully now and will continue to improve in the bottle over the next 2-3 years under good storage conditions.

To LIFE...and Oom Pinnes.

 

Bloemcool Oom Pinnes

Semillon 2023

 

R300 per bottle

 

SHOP NOW

The post Bloemcool Oom Pinnes Semillon 2023 – New Release appeared first on Fairview.