Cederberg
At an altitude of more than 1000 m above sea level, Cederberg Private Cellar is South Africa’s highest winery. A cool continental climate, with snow in winter and northwesterly breezes in the hot summers, combined with several different soil types, unpolluted air and crystal clear waters, make this dramatic landscape the ideal terroir for a wide range of noble wines, most notably its prize reds.
The Nieuwoudt family's connection with the Cederberg region dates back to 1835. In 1893 the family moved to the Dwarsrivier farm, which in the wine trade is known as Cederberg Private Cellar and the owner and winemaker, David Nieuwoudt, is the fifth generation to live on the farm. It was three generations prior that David’s grandfather and his sons planted the first vines on the farm. Appropriately, the family name means ‘new wood’ and today the Nieuwoudts are seen as pioneers, initiating not only a tobacco and fruit industry in this rocky high-altitude terrain (1 034 meters above sea level), but in 1973 they discovered that this terrain provided the ideal terroir to produce wines of distinction.
David Nieuwoudt is a graduate of the highly respected Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch and after graduating he gained experience at Lievland Estate. In 1997 David took the reins at Cederberg Private Cellar and it took two years before the SA wine trade became aware of this young winemaker. Between 1997 and 2009 Cederberg Private Cellar have had many awards and accolades bestowed on them; including 7 Double Gold, 13 Gold and 25 Silver Veritas awards. Nothing can compare though to the moment on the 2nd September 2008 when David received an early morning phone call from the UK agent, H&H Bancroft, announcing that the Cederberg Shiraz 2006 was awarded the International Rhône Varietal Trophy (Over £10) at the Decanter World Wine Awards
Nothing will prepare a visitor to Cederberg farm for the unique terroir and breathtaking views, next time you visit the Western Cape, take the drive into the Cederberg to visit the farm and discover a region rich with natural beauty and tranquility. Cederberg Private Cellar is the Western Cape’s highest laying vineyards so therefore the vineyard is free from disease and has a steady supply of pure mountain water. The estate also offers accommodation so when you make the trip to see them make sure you spend the night in one of the self-catering chalets on the farm.
Cederberg 
P.O. Box 84, Clanwilliam, 8135, South Africa
Tel: +27 27 482 2827
Fax: +27 27 482 118
Web: http://www.cederbergwine.com
