L’Avenir is a hidden gem, located just outside the quaint town of Stellenbosch, but far enough removed to feel like the middle of nowhere. This boutique estate with extraordinary views, nestled in the valley below the magnificent Simonsberg Mountains, is as pretty as a picture.
At the heart of the estate, surrounding an exquisite Jacaranda tree, the charming Cellardoor tasting room, wine cellar and guesthouse overlook lush green lawns, tranquil dams and rolling vineyards. L’Avenir is a sophisticated blend of old and new, where rustic meets refined, with elements of modernity effortlessly woven into the setting without losing the special old-world charm.
Image credit – L’Avenir Estate
L’Avenir’s rich history dates back to the late 1600s, when the estate was one of the very first sites identified for grape growing by the Cape’s earliest European settlers.
The estate was renamed L’Avenir in 1992 by Mark Wiehe, a Mauritian businessman, who left a career of trading sugar in London to purchase the farm. This was the start of specialisation of this unique boutique winery. Wiehe appointed former pharmacist Francois Naude as winemaker and the estate swiftly gained recognition for its distinctive Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. In 2005, L’Avenir was acquired by the owner of the prestigious Chablis property, Laroche, Chablisien Michel Laroche.
In 2007, under the mentorship of Naudé, current winemaker Dirk Coetzee joined the farm after completing his degree in Viticulture & Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch. The young maverick was instrumental in shifting the focus to L’Avenir’s top performing single vineyards – resulting in the now famous L’Avenir Single Block range. In 2012, the Laroche and JeanJean families combined forces to create Advini. This marked the start of a new era for L’Avenir, as it joined a family of some of the most acclaimed and awarded wines in the world.
Image credit – L’Avenir Estate
L’Avenir is a leading Stellenbosch boutique winery that specialises in South Africa’s signature varietals: Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. Situated four kilometres from Stellenbosch on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, the estate is right in the heart of South Africa’s most revered wine appellation.
Owned by the French leader of terroir wines, AdVini, L’Avenir produces authentic South African wines, with a touch of French flair. L’Avenir’s wines have gained a passionate following, locally and globally. The wines are exported to over 30 countries, with a specific focus on prestigious restaurants and specialist wine shops.
In their honour, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage are represented in all three of L’Avenir’s new wine ranges sporting elegant modern labels, an exclusive Pinotage Lounge was recently unveiled in the heart of the wine cellar, and a beautiful wooden Pinotage Deck has been built in the vineyards
With craftsmanship as its cornerstone, L’Avenir’s people are its heartbeat. Whether it’s the team of stalwarts that tends the vines, the dynamic cellar door team or the skillful professionals in the cellar, L’Avenir’s people are passionate, committed specialists.
Image credit – L’Avenir Estate
