Vry Burgher
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Copyright © 2019 Vry Burgher

  • VRY BURGHER


    Steeped in history, it upholds all the finest traditions of South Africa's great red wines...


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  • VRY BURGHER


    Fully matured in French oak, its magnificent palate belies its excellent price!


    CONTACT US

Two of South Africa’s most experienced wine experts team up to produce this exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coastal wine region…



About us

The Vry Burgher

Vry Burgher is the culmination of the efforts of a great winemaker Nicky Versfeld and an experienced and astute wine Producer and Negotiant Rob Coppoolse. This is a well salted team that has the ability to select the right vineyards for the right product.

The wine is made under the supervision of Nicky and the barrels are selected for Vry Burgher Cabernet Sauvignon by the team.






Our History

The Vry Burgher

The establishment by the Dutch East India Company of a refreshment station at the Cape in 1652 had a single aim which was to provide fresh food to the company's merchant fleets on their voyages to India and the surrounding areas.

The establishment of that trading station led to a flourishing wine industry and later to the birth of a nation. Jan van Riebeeck, the first governor of the Cape, planted a vineyard in 1655 and on 2 February 1659, the first wine was made from Cape grapes. In 1652, under Van Riebeeck's command, the VOC’s rule at the Cape had begun, which lasted for nearly 150 years and ended in 1795 with the British occupation of the colony.

It was not the original intention of the VOC to colonise the Cape, but in 1657 it allowed officials to leave service at the Cape to become the first 'Vryburghers' (independent farmers or 'free burghers') because the Company believed that by allowing private individuals to farm it would be more economical or less costly to produce the necessary provisions for the needs of the homeward- and outward-bound fleets.

It was also the main reason for the expansion of the settlement though the establishing of agricultural settlements at Stellenbosch (1679) and Drakenstein 10 years later. It is from this pioneering spirit of the early independent winemakers that our bold distinctive Vry Burgher wine proudly takes its name.


Jan van Riebeeck
Rob Coppoolse & Nicky Versfeld
Nicky Versfeld

About the Winemaker

Nicky Versfeld

Born and raised on a sheep farm in the Northern Cape South Africa, Nicky Versfeld was always a wine farmer at heart. After finishing school he studied Cellar Technology at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch and started as assistant winemaker at Simonsvlei Winery in 1981.


The progress of the winemaker:

~ Welmoed Winery - Manager/Winemaker (1986 - 1996)
~ Steenberg Estate - Cellar master (1996 - 2001)
~ Vinfruco - Executive Director Winemaking (2001 - 2004)
~ Stellenbosch Vineyards - Executive Director Winemaking (2005 - 2011)



Awards & Acolades

The Winemaker - Nicky Versfeld



~ Sauvignon Blanc - Double Gold Veritas (1996)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Double Gold Veritas (1997)
~ Merlot - World Championship Merlot @ International Wine & Spirit Awards (2000)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Double Gold Veritas (2001)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - SAA Best White Wine served onboard (2003)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Double Gold Veritas (2005)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - SAA Best White Wine served onboard (2005)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show – Silver (2007)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Decanter World wine Awards - Gold (2007)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - International Wine Challenge - Silver (2007)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards (2008)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Wine Magazine Tops at Spar Top 10 (2008)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Old Mutual Trophy Awards - Bronze (2008)
~ Shiraz - International Wine and Spirit Awards - Silver (2008)
~ Shiraz - Decanter World wine Awards - Bronze (2008)
~ Shiraz - AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge - Silver (2008)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Micheal Angelo - Gold (2018)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Shortlisted for selection on SAA Business class (2018)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Old Mutual Trophy Awards - Gold (2020)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Double Gold Veritas (2020)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards - Gold (2020)
~ Sauvignon Blanc - Platter's Wine Guide - 4.5 Stars (2020-2021)
~ Galaxy - Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards - Gold (2020)
~ Galaxy - Platter's Wine Guide - 4 Stars (2020-2021)

Today Nicky is an accomplished and astute winemaker who creates the best product from understanding where to select the finest grapes at a great price. This is passed on to the consumer – hence the very reasonable pricing of his signature wines.




About the area

The Coastal wine region

Stretching from Darling in the north to Cape Point and Constantia in the south - and to Stellenbosch and Paarl in the east, the Coastal wine region accounts for nearly half of the total wine producing areas in South Africa.

In the more southern areas of Stellenbosch and Constantia, red wines made from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape varieties are often found together as part of a Bordeaux Blend. The Helderberg mountain near Stellenbosch is the dominant area from which the grapes for Vryburgher Cabernet Sauvignon are derived. South Africa's wine industry began in the Coastal Region, with Constantia and Stellenbosch in particular contributing to the country's viticultural history. In 1679, the second Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, established both a wine estate at Constantia and the town of Stellenbosch which he named after himself.

It was the influence of the French Huguenot refugees though, who brought vines and their winemaking experience and knowledge to the Coastal region at the end of the 17h century, which truly established the industry in the region.




Landscape, aspect & general information

The Coastal wine region

The area takes its name and climatic influences from both the ocean and the mountains, meaning that there is a good range of mesoclimates across its entirety. Its Western border is the Atlantic Ocean and the Boland Mountains separate it from the Breede River Valley in the east. The southern mountains are the Hottentot Hollands Mountains. These guide the strong cool South Easter winds through the vineyards, which is very beneficial for the quality of the berries. The standalone island mountains include the renowned wine growing areas of Paarl Rock, the Paardeberg and Simonsberg.

Size - The viticultural zone measures approximately 105 kilometres (65 miles) from north to south and 50km (30 miles) east to west
Climate - Areas closest to the coast have maritime climates with an abundance of ocean breezes, while areas further inland have more of a Mediterranean climate
Soil – Stellenbosch region - Red- & yellow-brown Tukulu and Oakleaf, structured Swartland and Klapmuts, Duplex Kroonstad
Rainfall - Stellenbosch region – The summer rain is just 229mm of a total of a 713mm average



Vry Burgher

Two of South Africa’s most experienced wine experts team up
to produce this exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coastal wine region…

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