Silkbush Mountain Vineyards, as it is known today, was founded in 2000.  It forms part of an old Loan Farm that was granted to a Fouche in 1794 called Vredehoek.

In 2000, Anton Roos and his American business partner, Dave Jefferson, purchased the Remainder of Vredehoek and developed approximately 90 hectares of grapes on the property over the next few years.  Today, Silkbush Wines is a family-run business with Francois Roos managing the viticultural side and Johann doing sales and marketing, and Anton and Dave forever in the background with new plans and strategies.

 The farm is situated high up the slopes of the Waaihoek mountains in the Breedekloof, with an elevation of 430 – 730 meters above sea level, the highest in the area. More on this later.

 The Silkbush Peak towers above the farm, hence the name Silkbush Mountain.  A Silkbush is quite a unique tree that only grows high up in the kloofs and gulleys of the mountain. When the leaves are broken and pulled apart, silky threads pull between the pieces, hence the name Silkbush.

 We believe our unique soils, slopes, and terroir also run like silky threads through our wines – you can taste for yourself.

 Today, Silkbush grows 14 different cultivars, a total of 1200 tons of grapes or the equivalent of 1.2 million bottles of wine.  Most of our grapes are sold to well-known brands such as Guardian Peak, KWV Mentors, Painted Wolf, Val de Vie, etc.  A small percentage of the grapes we keep for our own production.

What makes Silkbush Wines unique?

 Firstly, what is unique in our little corner of the valley is the shaley soils that are only found on Silkbush and the two adjacent farms.  Surrounding farms are predominantly sandy soils of sandstone origin.  What makes the shale unique is that it has very good water retention capabilities, but it is also inherently a medium to low potential soil. This means that we do not have to irrigate too intensively, and the vines grow sedately and not overvigorous. This, in turn, ensures that we can keep vineyard manipulation to a minimum and get small, concentrated berries, naturally. This is a great plus in terms of quality.

 Secondly, our elevation.  Elevation means cooler ripening conditions.  This causes slower ripening, which ensures that sugar accumulation and flavour accumulation occur at much more even curves.  Cooler night temperatures ensure good colour development on the reds.  We are at least two weeks later than the lower parts of the valley and almost a month later than Paarl and Stellenbosch, which means we miss the January-February heatwaves as a rule and have cooler ripening conditions.

 Thirdly, our unequivocal commitment to quality in favor of quantity.  We strive to get our vineyards as uniform as possible, crop yields spread evenly on the vines, and lots of sunlight into them to ensure even ripening and flavour development.

 Silkbush red wines typically abound with red and black berry fruit flavours, juicy fullness on the palate, and long finishes that linger in your mouth. Wines are accessible at a young age but age very well due to the concentration of ripe tannins and structure.

 White wines lean to the more tropical and delicate floral side with crisp natural acids and full mouth feel.

 Judge for yourself