SOUTH AFRICA
Darling Cellars
Darling Cellars is situated on the cool west coast of South Africa, near Darling, about one hour’s drive from Cape Town and about 15km from the coast. The Darling area historically is a dairy area and only in the last 10 to 15 years, grape growing has come to the fore. Renowned for its wild flowers, it is one of the Western Cape’s most botanically diverse areas. The Darling Wildflower Society was founded in 1915 with an annual show is September.
Established in 1949, the cellar became a private company in 1997 and changed its name to Darling Cellars.
Today, Darling Cellars receives grapes from about twenty growers located primarily in the premium vineyard of Groenkloof. This area is characterized with deep, granite and Hutton based soils with predominantly bush vine plantings producing wines of great depth and complexity.
The cool and temperate West Coast climate lends itself to a variety of different micro- and mesoclimates which, along with the different soil types, lead to unique grapes which are made into becoming even more unique wines. Having 99% of all vineyards in dry land with roughly the same percentage bush vine, the growing conditions are particularly unique.
Onyx is a dedicated concept from site selection, through to the final drop into the glass at the end of a bottle.
Abe Beukes, the winemaker since 1997 at Darling Cellars, is often heard muttering that these vineyards are “the best kept secret in the Cape”.
The Onyx range is the “Jewel of Darling Cellars’ Crown”. Onyx is a semi-precious stone that represents the dark granite bedrock so prevalent in the Groenkloof vineyard. The Onyx range is without doubt, Darling Cellars’ most treasured pride. Only the very best is selected to produce Onyx wines.