Once an 18th century outpost for the Dutch East India Company, Compagnes Drift farm in Bot River, is now home to Beaumont Wines, a family-run winery with a proud tradition of making individualistic wines from ancient clay-rich soils in the Walker Bay region. Founded by Raoul and Jayne Beaumont, son Sebastian is the winemaker with daughter Ariane assisting in management. With merely 34 hectares under vine, the vast majority of the 400 hectare farm is pristine fynbos-rich mountainside, part of the Groenlandberg Conservancy in the Kogelberg Biosphere. The farm is a treasure for both nature- and culture-lovers and has two beautifully-restored historic cottages offering serene accommodation. The Beaumont range of fine wines includes a Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and an unwooded Chardonnay; with the Hope Marguerite – a wood-matured Chenin Blanc – the white wine flagship. An elegant Pinotage and Shiraz are joined by the Ariane, a Bordeaux blend, and South Africa’s first single-variety Mourvèdre. Goutte d’Or Noble Late Harvest and the Cape Vintage complete the hand-crafted range.
