Although the farm Uitkyk was established in 1712 when land was granted to settler Jan Oberholzer, vines were first planted here more than two centuries later, in 1929, by the owner at the time, a Prussian émigré, Hans von Carlowitz.
Von Carlowitz recognized the winemaking possibilities inherent in the high slopes of the farm with their well-drained soils. So, with the help of his son, Georg, he developed the vineyards, planting mainly chenin blanc, Cape riesling, cinsaut and cabernet sauvignon.
It was the famous Carlonet blend made from cinsaut and cabernet sauvignon for which the family is still remembered. Carlonet is still produced today, and still just as popular.
The name Uitkyk (“look out” or “view”) given to the estate is most appropriate. Situated on the southwestern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain, it looks out across the Cape Flats to Table Mountain in the distance. It provides a splendid setting for the striking and magnificent homestead on the property, a neo-classical masterpiece and one of only three remaining double-storied, flat-roofed 18th-century town houses at the Cape that still exist in their original form.
Some historians believe the designer of the homestead could have been the French architect Louis Michel Thibault. Built in 1788, during the ownership of Johan David Beyers, who received the property from his father-in-law, Martin Melck, it bears a strong likeness to the well-known Martin Melck House in Strand Street, Cape Town. Another school of thought holds that the same architect who designed the Martin Melck House – J C Herzendosch – was also involved in the design of house on Uitkyk. The fine neo-classical front door that carries the outline of Table Mountain, a design repeated on all the inner doors of the splendidly restored homestead, is attributed to Anton Anreith, a sculptor renowned at the Cape in earlier years.
Left: Uitkyk's equally impressive tasting venue is situated next to the manor house.
During the restoration of the house, two beautiful murals were discovered on a wall in the entrance hall, buried under 15 layers of paint. Their painstaking and meticulous uncovering was preceded by careful research and liaison with European experts in the field. Samples of paint fragments taken from the murals were sent to Europe for analysis and where possible, similar natural pigments were used in their restoration.
Delicately painted, the two restored panels portray the seasons of summer and spring. Much of the colourful bird, plant and insect life so meticulously depicted, can be found on Uitkyk today.
Lying on the south-western slopes of Kanonkop Mountain, some 140 ha of the farm’s 591 ha are planted to vineyards located from 200 m to 500 m above sea level. The aspect and undulations of the mountain slopes give rise to several different meso-climates and a range of soil types, from decomposed granite to deep, loamy red originating from Table Mountain sandstone.
In March 2011 Uitkyk became a Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI) Champion, the 20th to do so. The estate, one of the largest in the Stellenbosch area, has set aside more than 310 ha of virgin veld, or 52% of the total property, for conservation. The vineyards are located on the higher slopes which are dissected by four deep gorges that create natural corridors between them. These corridors enable small game and predators to move freely across the property.
According to Rudi Buys, viticulturist and manager of Uitkyk, a considerable part of the land set aside for conservation falls within the Greater Simonsberg Conservatory of which Uitkyk is a member. The conservancy supports one of the largest remaining remnants of the critically endangered Swartland shale renosterveld, named for the rhinos which in earlier years were frequently found grazing in this type of vegetation.
Right: The heart of the matter! Uitkyk's ageing cellar wher the nectar of the gods is evolving over time.
In a move in recent years to sustainable farming, owl posts were erected in the vineyards to control rodent numbers. While owls hunt from the perches at night, during the day they are used as resting places for jackal buzzards, kestrels and other raptors. Duiker and grysbok today abound while the gorges provide perfect camouflage for the growing number of caracal hunting their favourite food, guinea fowl. The birdlife is particularly rich and varied, and more and more species are noticed nesting on the estate.
WINE TASTING AND SALES
Monday to Friday : 09h00-17h00
Saturday and Sunday: 10h00-16h00
Public Holidays : 10h00-16h00
Closed : Christmas, Good Friday
CONTACT DETAILS
Telephone : (021) 884 4416
Fax : (021) 884 4717
E-mail : info@uitkyk.co.za
Website : www.uitkyk.co.za
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