Seven Generations of Slanghoek Winemaking — in One Curated Box
The Louw family has been farming the Slanghoek Valley since 1847. Seven generations — from JC Rossouw’s original grant to winemaker Attie Louw fermenting naturally in the family cellar today — is a long time to get to know a piece of land. The Opstal Collection brings three of those estate wines together: the Blush Rosé 2025 (dry saignée from Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault), the Chenin Blanc 2024 (naturally fermented, six months in old French oak) and the Cabernet Sauvignon / Cinsault 2024 (fresh, whole-bunch lifted and immediately enjoyable). Alongside, handmade Opstal jam and a farm spice blend — put together on the estate that made them.
The Opstal Estate
Opstal Estate has been in the same family since 1847, when JC Rossouw first cultivated this land in the Slanghoek Valley. Seven generations later, winemaker Attie Louw is the one in the cellar — a direct descendant of that founding family, working alongside his father Stanley and brother Zak. The modern chapter of Opstal winemaking began in 1950, when Carl Everson — Stanley’s grandfather — chose to make and bottle his own wine rather than send his grapes to the local cooperative. That decision set the estate on its own path. Attie has spent the years since pushing it further, earning multiple Platter 5-star ratings for the estate’s Chenin Blancs and building a reputation that extends well beyond the Slanghoek Valley.
The farm sits at the head of the Slanghoek Valley, cradled between the Slanghoek Mountains to the west and the Badsberg Mountains to the east. One hundred hectares of vines planted across soils that change completely within metres: rich clay on the eastern slopes (ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon), sandy and stony ground on the western slopes (home to Cinsault and the Sixpence vineyards), and alluvial riverside soils alongside the Slanghoek River (where the finest Chenin Blanc blocks sit). Annual rainfall of 1,350mm, mountain breezes and a slow Mediterranean growing season give Opstal wines a freshness and balance that are harder to achieve in warmer Cape wine regions.
What’s in the Box
Three wines: pale salmon-pink rosé, straw-gold white and ruby-red — a complete spectrum of the Opstal estate range.
Nose: From the delicate fynbos and strawberry of the Blush Rosé, to the pineapple and pear of the Chenin Blanc, to the dark cherry and herbs of the Cab/Cinsault — the collection covers the aromatic full range of the estate.
Palate & Style: Dry, fresh and food-friendly across all three wines. A consistent Slanghoek house style defined by natural fermentation, old alluvial soils and minimal intervention.
Finish: The rosé is mineral and savoury; the Chenin is creamy and lingering; the Cab/Cinsault is juicy and bright. Between the three, there is a wine for every course.
How It’s Made
All three wines in the Opstal Collection are made by Attie Louw at the family estate in the Slanghoek Valley. The Blush Rosé uses the saignée method, bleeding juice from a Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault ferment after only hours of skin contact. The Chenin Blanc is naturally fermented then aged six months in old French oak barrels. The Cab/Cinsault uses 55% whole-bunch Cinsault for aromatic lift and fruit clarity. All three follow the same philosophy: minimal intervention, natural fermentation and a respect for what the Slanghoek Valley gives.
Food Pairings
Serve the Blush Rosé with a summer starter — oysters, sashimi or a charcuterie board. Open the Chenin Blanc alongside grilled linefish, chicken or a Cape Malay. Save the Cab/Cinsault for a braai, a bolognaise or a casual Saturday dinner. Three wines, one gathering, one family story.
Awards & Recognition
Opstal’s heritage Chenin Blanc range has earned multiple Platter 5-star ratings. The estate-range wines in this collection are made by the same winemaker, using the same minimal-intervention philosophy.
The Opstal Collection is a gift worth giving — seven generations of Slanghoek farming in three bottles, with homemade jam and estate spice alongside. One of the better introductions to a family estate you’ll find. Available at Vinty.
