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Axe Hill Winery

Axe Hill was started by the late Tony Mossop and wife Lyn, at a remote site on the outskirts of Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo during 1993. Calitzdorp is a viticulture area situated in the Klein Karoo Wine Region. The area has been acclaimed for its fortified wines for a number of years and Calitzdorp is known as “the Port Capital of South Africa”. The unique micro-climate prevalent in the region is typically characterised by dry, arid conditions which add to the overall concentration of true Portuguese varietals. The name of the vineyard originates from the stone hand tools found on the farm and used by pre-historic man over a quarter of a million years ago.

Only one vintage is made each year from a blend of the traditional Portuguese varietals Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca and Souzão. The wine is matured in old 500 litre French oak barrels after hand sorting and foot crushing in lagares for maximum extraction of both flavours and colour. This method closely resembles traditional Portuguese port wine making techniques which have been in use for centuries.

A dry, white Port, is also produced. Chenin Blanc grapes are used in this drier style, fortified wine. The wine is barrel-aged by the fractional blending of old to young wine so that each bottling is a fusion of ages, with the average age gradually increasing over the years. Axe Hill Cape White has its origins with the first vintage in 2003 and will continue to grow in complexity with future releases.

New additions to the range include a Cape Ruby Port, a Shiraz and a very limited bottling of a unique Dry Red blend made from Portuguese varietals Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca and Souzão and a dash of Shiraz – Machado 2010 – which means Axe in Portuguese!


Wine Types

Fortified, Red

Wine Varieties

Shiraz


People

  • Winemaker: Mike Neebe

Trading Hours

Current Status:

  • Monday to Saturday: By Appointment
  • Public Holidays: Closed
  • Religious Holidays: Closed

Seasonal hours may apply. Phone ahead before visiting to confirm times and avoid disappointment.


Contact

Wine sales

More info to follow.

Wine tasting

More info to follow.

No activities

Get directions:  

Last updated 16 May 2016. Report an error.

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