The Heritage

Of Diemersdal Estate

Diemersdal Wine Estate, situated in the glorious Cape Winelands of South Africa lies on the cool slopes of the Drostberg, Durbanville. Our history dates as far back as 1698, to the time of Simon van der Stel and the early beginnings of South African winemaking. Since 1885, six generations of the Louw family have been practising the art of fine winemaking at Diemersdal. The main varieties grown on the Estate are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage. The 200 hectares of vines are grown in dryland conditions, allowing the grapes to ripen uniformly, developing rich, concentrated flavours. Six generations of winemakers over two centuries have shared the same passion, creating the unique and soulful Diemersdal wines which give the perfect expression of the distinct Durbanville terroir. 

Six Generations of Skill and Passion

Our History

Anno 1698

1660

First commercial wine farmer in Cape

Jan Pietersz Broertjie Louw becomes a free burgher from the VOC and is granted 40 morgen of land next to the Liesbeek River in Rondebosch. Here, on the farm Louwvliet, Broertjie Louw becomes the first commercially successful wine-farmer at the Cape. After his death, the Louw familie continue to produce wine on Louwvliet until 1724.

1698

Diemersdal formally established

Simon van der Stel grants farmland in Durbanville to free burgher, Hendrik Sneewind. Later, the farm changed hands to Captain Diemer when he married the widow Sneewind, and thus Diemersdal was formally established.

1702

An interesting discovery

An inventory found in an old leather-bound book on Diemersdal dating back to 1702 lists 45 wine barrels, a wine press and glass bottles, indicating that wine has been made on the Estate for over three centuries.

1885

First generation of Louw's

The first generation of the Louw family make Diemersdal their home, continuing the winemaking legacy of the forebears on this historical estate.

Diemersdal Wine Estate Crest
1979

First wine under own label

Diemersdal is officially declared as a Wine Estate and releases its first wine under an own label – Diemersdal Private Collection

1990

First Sauvignon Blanc

Having identified Sauvignon Blanc as a variety with tremendous potential in South Africa and with Diemersdal’s cool-climate terroir being ideal for growing this grape, Diemersdal releases its first Sauvignon Blanc.

2006

Thys Louw's first wine

Thys Louw begins working on Diemersdal as the sixth generation from the Louw family to do so. The first wine made by Thys, Eight Rows Sauvignon Blanc, is released.

2013

General Smuts Trophy

Diemersdal wins the General Smuts Trophy as overall Best Wine at the South African Young Wine Show with the MM Louw Sauvignon Blanc.

1660

Jan Pietersz Broertjie Louw becomes a free burgher from the VOC and is granted 40 morgen of land next to the Liesbeek River in Rondebosch. Here, on the farm Louwvliet, Broertjie Louw becomes the first commercially successful wine-farmer at the Cape. After his death, the Louw familie continue to produce wine on Louwvliet until 1724.

1698

Simon van der Stel grants farmland in Durbanville to free burgher, Hendrik Sneewind. Later, the farm changed hands to Captain Diemer when he married the widow Sneewind, and thus Diemersdal was formally established.

1702

An inventory found in an old leather-bound book on Diemersdal dating back to 1702 lists 45 wine barrels, a wine press and glass bottles, indicating that wine has been made on the Estate for over three centuries.

1885

The first generation of the Louw family make Diemersdal their home, continuing the winemaking legacy of the forebears on this historical estate.

1979

Diemersdal is officially declared as a Wine Estate and releases its first wine under an own label – Diemersdal Private Collection

1990

Having identified Sauvignon Blanc as a variety with tremendous potential in South Africa and with Diemersdal’s cool-climate terroir being ideal for growing this grape, Diemersdal releases its first Sauvignon Blanc.

2006

Thys Louw begins working on Diemersdal as the sixth generation from the Louw family to do so. The first wine made by Thys, Eight Rows Sauvignon Blanc, is released.