Axe Hill

Good idea to call ahead - we are a small team (Mike & Pam), and always promise personal service! Proprietor: Axe Hill Winery (Pty) Ltd

General Manager & Winemaker: Mike Neebe

Viticulturist: Mike Neebe

Area under vines: 1.3 ha

Production: 6 to 9 tons

Brands: Axe Hill

Wines: Port: Cape Vintage Port, Cape White Port, Cape Ruby Port, Cape Late Bottled Vintage Port, Dry Reds – Machado, Distinta & Shiraz

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. The area is acclaimed for its fortified wines 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 Portuguese varietals planted on the farm which include Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional, Souzão and recently Tinto Roriz (aka Tempranillo). The name of the vineyard originates from the stone age hand tools found on the farm. Only one vintage is made each year from a blend of the Portuguese varieties. The wine is matured in old French oak barrels after hand sorting and foot crushing and fermentation in lagares for maximum extraction of both flavour 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. The cellar also produces a range of table wines using the available varieties. These include Machado (meaning Axe in Portuguese), Distinta (means different or distinctive), both unique blends with variations on the Portuguese theme but with different barrel regimes. Barrel fermented white wines; Viognier and Chenin Blanc!