Description

Before moving to the Cape and buying a wine farm, Ken Forrester was very successful in the restaurant business in Johannesburg. The Cape wine lands had been calling and in 1993 Ken bought a farm that was in a rundown state, but it had a lot of history and an ideal location. Situated in the gorgeous Helderberg region of Stellenbosch, near False Bay, the farm Zandberg had originally been granted by Simon van der Stel in 1689 to a German settler.

The farm changed hands a few times, and then as happened with many other Cape wine farms, the cellar became rundown and the grapes were sold to a co-op for many years in the 1900s. Major renovations were required in the vineyards and the centuries-old buildings. The timing was good for Ken, who got in right as South Africa was beginning a renaissance in its wine industry. In the 20 years since 1993, Ken Forrester wines have found their place as one of South Africa’s top producers of Chenin Blanc. Ken is of the firm belief that South Africa can produce world-class wines from Chenin Blanc, and he is not alone. The results have been impressive, with his wines earning numerous awards locally and internationally.