Nelson's Creek Wine Estate

The winery is located at the foot of the Paarl Mountains in the Paarl Wine District of South Africa. It all began in 1987 when Alan Nelson bought a run-down farm, the origins of which date back to 1693. Until 1994, with the support of oenologist Eugene van Zyl Elsenburg, the old stocks were replaced by new varieties. Production began in 1995 and it was the first winery to be registered in democratic South Africa after the end of apartheid in 1994. The first president Nelson Mandela plays a major role on the estate. Because there is a centre for handicrafts, which is housed in traditional Xhosa huts. These huts come from Mandela's hometown Qunu. The vineyards cover 49 hectares and are crossed by the eponymous Nelsons Creek. The typical Big Six varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Sémillon and Shiraz are cultivated. Mainly pure varietal wines are produced. Exceptions are a white wine cuvée from Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc and a red wine cuvée from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In 1997, Alan Nelson bequeathed eleven hectares of vineyard to his colorful vineyard workers in gratitude for their help in establishing his winery. The income from this belongs to them. They became the first non-white winegrowers in South Africa and aptly christened their cooperative "Klein Begin". They were immediately successful with the wine produced under this label.