Keermont Vineyards

Keermont Vineyards is in a natural amphitheater between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg Mountains, with vineyards climbing 400 meters above sea level. Keermont’s breathtaking vineyards are on various pockets of multifarious soils thanks to the Blaauwklippen River, which runs in the middle of the estate. Each parcel is separated by fynbos and renosterveld and receives cooling winds from the Atlantic Ocean and False Bay. Purchased by the Wraith family in 2003, the estate originally consisted of two farms focused on general agriculture, with some wine grapes grown on the farm. Keermont’s winemaker (and rising star), Alex Starey, grew up down the road and would accompany his dad, the manager, who sold wine grapes to the neighboring cellars. It inspired him to apply to the University of Stellenbosch’s Oenology program, which led him to complete harvests in France and Spain and to accept a harvest position at De Trafford. A neighbor of Keermont, De Trafford, purchased fruit from Mark Wraith, which led Alex to send his resume to him in case Mark ever wanted to redevelop the farm into vineyards. Mark accepted his offer, and Alex undertook an intense research project to understand each parcel’s nuances in 2005, further separated by differing clones of their respective varietal. In tandem with his research, Alex asked Mark to allow him to make a barrel of wine, which then spurred Alex and Mark to register Keermont Vineyards in 2007 with the realization that this estate could create something special. Today, Alex remains at the helm of the 28HA estate dedicated to sustainable viticulture and protects 100HA for conservation. In the winery, all wines undergo natural fermentation and maturation with little filtration for the white wines and no filtration for the reds. Thanks to Alex’s vision, this young estate has gained a following not only with critics but with his fellow winemakers in the Western Cape too.