Buitenverwachting 1769 2021

The winery Buitenverwachting which means ‚beyond expectations‘ is situated in the wine cultivation area Constantia, 12 kilometres away from the False Bay, at the gates of Cape Town. It used to be a part of the first winery at the Cape which was founded by Simon van der Stel. Buitenverwachting is a true jewel in the South African Winelands. A wide avenue leads to the Cape Dutch manor house from 1796; forming a square around a giant cedar together with the old wine cellar, the carriage shed and the bachelor house. In 1980, the Hamburg couple Richard and Christine Müller purchased the historic estate and restored it with much love for detail. From the start, it was clear that it was not just about to help the architectural jewel to shine in new splendour but to also revive the wine cultivation. The hard work paid off quickly, and in 1985, the couple had their maiden harvest, the first in 30 years for Buitenverwachting! Today their son, Lars Maack, runs the estate.

The restaurant at Buitenverwachting is located in a historic white-washed, thatched building that invites guests to linger. The Cape Dutch style keeps the long tradition of the estate alive. The visitors can enjoy a wonderful view of the vineyards and the picturesque Constantia Mountains which are part of the Table Mountain range. Here, they can treat themselves with culinary delights. Besides the restaurant, the new café Coffee Bloc offers excellent coffee specialities, delicious cakes and exquisite pastry.

The owner of Buitenverwachting, Lars Maack and the Winemaker Chris Paton have decided to bring their red wines to the top, besides their high quality white wines – a demanding endeavour in which they definitely have succeeded. The wines of the estate enjoy an outstanding reputation worldwide – the Sauvignon Blanc has been at the top of the South African wine producers and the wine ‘Christine’, created according to characteristically French style, is a true classic from the Cape. The vines grow in deep, decomposed granite soils and mild sea breezes give the required refreshment and the grapes thrive on southeast facing vineyards at an altitude of approximately up to 250 metres above sea level. Due to the excellent climate and the soil conditions at Buitenverwachting, top wines with a high complexity and unique aromatic profiles can be created.