Winery and Vines

The cultivars planted range from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier to Chardonnay. The soils are Clovelly and Griffon and offer good drainage, which is most welcome, especially when rain shows itself in summer. The wines reflect the cool slopes upon which the cultivars are planted and the nuances that these wines have lean to Old World style: the nose is shy and not upfront as is the case in New World wines and the palate offers cool fruit and minerality, with alcohol at a moderate 13 - 13,5%.

Abingdon's maiden vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2007, was the first ever certified estate wine made in KwaZulu-Natal. 2010 saw the release of five new certified Estate wines, as well as  the first Chardonnay and Wooded Viognier released in January 2011 and a Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve released in August 2011 - all representing KwaZulu-Natal Wine of Origin, , and the uniqueness of this terroir can be tasted in the glass.

Handpicked and sorted on the bunch. Destemmed, crushed and fermented at 14 degrees C. Sur lie contact. Fined, cold stabilised and filtered prior to bottling. Cork closures


Tasting Notes: Typical of cool climate - crisp, fesh, elegant. Pear drop and lime on the palate. Keen acidity. Clean mineral finish.

Handpicked and sorted on the bunch. Destemmed, crushed and fermented at 13 degrees C. Sur lie contact. Fined, cold stabilised and filtered prior to bottling. Cork closures.


Tasting Notes: Unwooded - delicate nose with pear drops and violets. White peach and pineapple on the palate. Hint of spice on the tail.

Handpicked and sorted on the bunch. Wild yeast barrel fermented in 4th fill barrels for 120 days. Syrah 73%, Cabernet Sauvignon 22%, Viognier 5%. Fined, cold stabilised and filtered prior to bottling. Cork closures.


Tasting Notes: Funky wild yeast nose. Seville Orange and Quince on the palate with a dry crisp finish.

Handpicked and sorted on the bunch. Destemmed, crushed and fermented at 23 degrees C. Basket pressed and barrel aged in French Oak - new, 1st and 2nd fill, for 12 months.Fined, cold stabilised and coarse filtered prior to bottling. Cork closures.


Tasting Notes: Very definitely a delicate Northern Rhone Syrah in profile. Cedar and red fruit on the nose, followed through to the palate. White pepper finish.

Handpicked and sorted on the bunch. Destemmed, crushed and fermented at 23 degrees C. Basket pressed and barrel aged in French Oak - new, 1st and 2nd fill, for 12 months.Fined, cold stabilised and coarse filtered prior to bottling. Cork closures.


Tasting Notes: Cassis and mint on the nose following through to the palate. This wine has a smooth, elegant, balanced entry with firm tannins and a lingering fennel finish.

Having achieved sell out success with previous vintages of unoaked Viognier, this is the release of our first wooded Viognier. This Northern Rhone noble grape has been propelled from obscurity a mere 12 years ago, to becoming one of the world’s most fashionable wines.


Tasting Notes: Hazelnuts and violets on the nose. Peach and dried apricots on the palate. Lovely soft mouth feel with spicy tail. This is a wine that loves food.

The vines were planted in 2004, transplanted in 2006 to warmer climes and the grapes decimated by monkeys in 2009. After six years of frustration and a determination to succeed with this varietal, we were finally rewarded in 2010 with our first harvest.


Tasting Notes: This is a delicate, lightly oaked Chardonnay with an elegance that comes from its high altitude, cool climate terroir. Restrained nose, with hints of lime, citrus, balanced with notes of pear and almonds.The entry is smooth, dry with balanced acidity on the mid-palate followed by a fuller mouthfeel. Tangerine and hints of marmalade develop.

Having been advised by a Cape viticulturist to rip out this varietal as it would never succeed at our altitude, this vintage is our third successful Cabernet, with two further vintages successfully in barrels. Two barrels of the 2009 vintage were matured in French Oak for two years to create our Special Reserve.


Tasting Notes: Cassis and mint on the nose following through to the palate, with a savoury touch. This wine has a smooth, elegant, balanced entry with firm tannins and a lingering fennel finish. 2 yrs in French Oak gives it a lovely soft mouth feel.