La Vierge Wines

Wine Estate with a Perfect Amphitheatre Setting

La Vierge Wines offers a distinctive wine experience in the cool-climate Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Founded by Peter Clarke in 2004, the estate stands out with its unique natural amphitheatre setting and dryland vineyards planted on virgin soils. Locals know that the bright pink signage makes it unmissable along the valley route.

Terroir & Wine

What makes La Vierge special is their commitment to "Trust the Site" - a philosophy that emphasizes terroir-driven winemaking. The estate's vineyards thrive in clay-rich Bokkeveld shale soil, creating ideal conditions for their flagship Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The high clay content retains moisture while cooling the roots, ensuring slow and precise ripening of the grapes.

Their wines reflect the dynamic weather patterns of the amphitheatre setting, which provides 360-degree exposure to coastal breezes. Each vineyard block has unique aspects that contribute to layered and complex wines with distinctive mineral profiles.

Tasting Experience

• Signature wines: The 2023 Pinot Noir (perfumed dark fruit with spice notes) and 2023 Chardonnay (fresh mineral expression with subtle creamy layers)
• Story Teller Collection: A range inspired by Indian Ocean island tales, featuring uniquely named wines that tell different stories
• Best time to visit: Weekday mornings offer a more personalized experience with less crowding

The wine tasting is reasonably priced and includes knowledgeable staff who provide detailed explanations of the estate's history and winemaking philosophy. For the full experience, try a wine and cheese pairing on the deck with panoramic valley views.

Restaurant & Setting

The restaurant takes a wine-first approach - each dish is crafted to complement the wines rather than the other way around. The venue features a spectacular deck overlooking the valley with views stretching to the ocean on clear days. Even the bathrooms have been designed with views in mind!

For food, the tasting platters offer excellent value and are generous enough to share between 3-4 people. Locals recommend the famous "blooming onion" starter and the expertly prepared steaks. The hot kitchen closes at 15:00 and the cold kitchen at 16:00, so time your visit accordingly.

Visitor Tips

• Dog-friendly: One of the few estates in the region that welcomes well-behaved pets on the deck
• Activities: You can play boules on the wooden "Champagne" deck when weather permits
• Reservations: Essential, especially on weekends and during peak season
• Opening hours: Tasting room is open daily 10:00-17:00; Restaurant Tuesday-Sunday 11:30-15:30

La Vierge makes an excellent stop on a Hemel-en-Aarde Valley wine tour itinerary, best paired with visits to neighboring estates for a comprehensive experience of the region's terroir. The estate is approximately 10km from the ocean, creating the ideal cool-climate conditions that this wine region is known for.