A journey to Cape Town is not complete without taking route R62 through the Breede River Valley.  The media was recently invited to a tasting of some of the Valley's top wines illustrating the versatility of this area when a selection of 24 labels were presented.  The history of the Breede River Valley started with the famous dessert wines, next a dry Colombard, initially intended for brandy production but found to make most acceptable dry white table wines.  Noble white wines now followed pioneered by such people as Danie de Wet of Chardonnay fame.

About 3 years ago Robertson winery members presented 12 red wines that they felt were good examples of the potential of this area.  This came after extensive research, with internationally famous viticulturist Phil Freese.  Their aim was to produce wines which could compete with the best.  An association that includes all 41 members was formed in 1983 as the Robertson wine Trust.  An additional aim was to develop tourism by forming a Section 21 company to advertise Route 62 via Robertson wine Valley, Little Karoo and the Langkloof.  Further more aim was the focus on socio-economic upliftment of rural farming communities in the district.  The generation of the Danie de Wets, Lourens Jonkers, Wynand Retiefs has now been replaced by the next generation on the board consisting almost entirely of members in their early thirties under the chairmanship of Phillip Jonker winemaker of Weltevrede and son of Lourens.

At the tasting the potential of this area was adequately illustrated by five Chardonnays, two Sauvignon Blancs, a Colombard and two dessert wines and a Cap Classique in addition to 13 reds.  The wines from this area received many awards both local and internationally but still come on the market as very reasonable prices.

The wines of this area should be freely available at your favorite shop.