About

Hillcrest Estate is a boutique winery nestled in the Tygerberg Hills in the ward of Durbanville a mere 30 minute drive from Cape Town. The vineyards are cooled by afternoon sea breezes from the Atlantic Ocean which makes it one of the prime growing grape regions in the Western Cape. On the estate well drained soils with good water retention capacity are differentiated into Oakleaf, Hutton and Clovelly types which favour the production of good quality grapes and consequently great wines. In addition the vineyards are strewen with baked shale or “Hornfels”, the result of a geological event millions of years ago, which impart a distinct minerality to the wines.

The vineyards are planted on Northwest facing slopes between 200 & 380 meters ASL. This undulating landscape offers a range of micro-climates which allows varieties to be planted in the suitable conditions to attain optimal quality. Thus Sauvignon Blanc which requires cool ripening conditions is planted on the higher slopes. The cooler conditions also extend the ripening period which favours the accumulation and concentration of typical sauvignon lime and passion fruit flavours. The five Bordeaux varietals are planted on lower slopes. On the lowest slopes Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot are planted. These are late ripeners which require warmer conditions to ensure that the grapes are optimally ripe at harvest. Various vineyard management techniques such as leaf plucking to increase sunlight penetration and green harvesting to attain uniform ripeness at harvest are practised to improve grape quality.

History

Hillcrest Estate was purchased in 1984 to accommodate the head office and workshop of Haw & Inglis, a Cape based Construction Company. The potential for growth of quality wine and olives was soon recognized, and the owners decided to plant Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The Durbanville Hills winery was established during that time, so a contact to sell the fruit to that winery was signed.

In 2001 the owners or Hillcrest Estate were approached by Dr Graeme Read (current winemaker), who with the dream of a micro-cellar in mind, persuaded the owners to start their own cellar to make wine using the estate’s grapes. They liked the idea, and soon a farm shed was converted into a rudimentary cellar. The following season 8 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes were pressed & vinified making 2002 the maiden vintage for both Hillcrest and Graeme Read.