Welcome to the estate

Established in 1695 as a freehold by Simon van der Stel, Under Oaks Estate stands as one of South Africa’s oldest farms, with a history rich in resilience—weathering storms, fires, droughts, and floods. Tucked into the heart of Paarlites, our estate has become a testament to the spirit and heritage of our local community.

Family-owned and operated, we pour our hearts into everything we offer: boutique-style wines crafted on-site, luxurious farm accommodation, and a welcoming pizzeria known for serving the best pizzas south of Italy. At Under Oaks, we are more than a farm; we are custodians of history, hospitality and heartfelt tradition.

Our Rich History

The Britz Family

Rooted in the heart of Paarl, our family has grown alongside its landscapes and traditions, shaped by generations of farming and a shared love for heritage. Born and raised here we learned early on the values of hard work, community, and a deep respect for the land.

Committed to sustainability and stewardship, our goal is to leave the world better than we found it – nurturing both the soil we cultivate and the bonds we share. Through our work and dedication, we hope to honour the past while sowing seeds for a brighter future.

Unique terroir & appellation

The Paarl area (situated at approximately 152m above sea level), and particularly where Under Oaks is located, is perfectly suited to Mediterranean grape cultivars – the climate distinguished by warm, wet winters and calm, hot dry summers.

Prevailing summer winds are south-eastern (the infamous “Cape Doctor”) during the day, and south-westerly winds mostly in the evenings. These alternating winds are ideal for fostering rich colour and fruit development in the grapes. There tends to be a significant contrast between cool ocean and warm inland temperatures during summer leading to the frequent occurrence of sea breezes during the maturation period.

We are blessed with our unique terroir of Oakleaf and Glen Rosa soils. Predominately white cultivars are planted on Oakleaf which is a soil type derived from granite and is usually red to yellow in colour. It is an acidic soil and is found on mountain foothill slopes with good physical and water retention properties

Our red varietals are planted on Oakleaf and Glen Rosa which assist in providing the complex character in the wine that we are looking for. Glen Rosa is a soil type derived from shale and is usually brownish in colour. It is strongly structured on decomposed rock and has good nutrient reserves and a fair amount of clay that act as moisture reservoirs. Often referred to as “pudding soils” by the late professor Eben Archer, Cultivars such as the Bordeaux 5 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec) and the versatile Southern Rhone cultivars such as Shiraz, Petit Syrah and Viognier produce ripe fruit and luscious tannins. Apart from their wonderful blending versatility they do not require centuries of maturation in a bottle.

Viticultural climate is described on three levels: macroclimate (that of the area), mesoclimate (that of a specific vineyard) and microclimate (the climate in the canopy of the vineyard) Each of these play a crucial role in the expression of terroir.

Our climate allows us to pick at optimal ripeness – a much debated term that simply means “balanced”

“Wine is sunlight held together by water.”
– Galileo

Viticulture &
Sustainability

On Under Oaks sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to preserving the environment through responsible farming practices that align with many international and South African principles, ensuring that every step of our process respects the land and its resources. Our use of various electric vehicles minimises our carbon footprint, while extensive recycling efforts further reduce waste.

Our beautiful rose garden not only provides fresh blooms for the guesthouse but also enhances the natural beauty of the estate. The vlei land in the midst of our property fosters a unique ecosystem and attracts a multitude of bird species and creates habitats that promote biodiversity. We believe in minimal crop protection and only use IPW approved products, working in harmony with nature to produce exceptional wines while safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Our wines and winemaking philosophy

Our journey into wine making started in 2001 when Hansie and Bertus met at a party and started chatting wine… things evolved.

Today Under Oaks’ wines should be known for the reds’ generosity – opulent fruit and silky tannins…easy to enjoy with or without food, anytime and anywhere. The whites are crisp and fresh and the gentle butteriness of a light, lingering Chardonnay.

Our uncomplicated challenge is to do the simple things correctly… irrigate when the vineyard tells you to. Treat the soil with respect as it is on loan from our children’s children. Ensure the grapes are harvested when all ripeness indicators are in balance and to treat the grapes gently in our little boutique cellar.

The process flow in the cellar is designed for simplicity and quality. We harvest in the early cool mornings, ensuring that we process only cold or chilled grapes to maintain their integrity. Our intake line is meticulously crafted to guarantee that only the best quality grapes make their way to the tanks, allowing us to work exclusively with the purity of the fruit—the fundamental starting point for exceptional wine. During fermentation, we utilize a single yeast strain and carefully pump the wines over every 4 to 5 hours, ensuring optimal extraction for the duration of the fermentation process. After 14 to 16 months, we focus on blending and barrel selection, giving our wines the time they need to develop complexity and character. This careful, methodical approach ensures that each bottle we produce reflects our commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

The People

Toffie and Bertus are like horse and carriage; you can’t have one without the other. Their partnership embodies the spirit of our winery, combining strength and expertise with passion and creativity. With Toffie’s meticulous management of our farm and harvest, alongside Bertus’s artistry in winemaking, they work seamlessly together to create outstanding wines that reflect our commitment to quality. Their camaraderie not only enhances our vineyard’s productivity but also fosters a lively and welcoming environment where great wine and even greater friendships flourish.

Bertus

Winemaker

Bertus Fourie

– Winemaker

Meet Bertus, our gentle giant and a cornerstone of our winemaking team. With a long history in the industry, Bertus has earned a stellar reputation for his passion and expertise. He thrives on the endless possibilities that winemaking presents and believes that the heart of the industry lies in the human connections it fosters. “The human dimension of the wine industry is definitely one of the aspects that I love,” he shares. “I meet wonderful people, make wonderful friends, and enjoy loads of laughs whenever I present a wine tasting or have a wine chat, which is probably 80% of the time. Making wine, selling wine, and enjoying wine is all about quality relationships.”

Bertus describes his winemaking philosophy as having evolved over the years. “My winemaking approach has evolved with my age, I suppose,” he explains. “What once centered around everything I was taught at university has now distilled into just a few core principles: simplicity, minimal intervention, expressing cultivar personality, and reflecting seasonality—all leading to the complexity that defines our wines.” With Bertus at the helm, our wines not only tell a story but also resonate with the passion and relationships that underpin every bottle.

Toffie

Farm Manager

Gert (Toffie) Pietersen

– Farm Manager

Toffie has been an integral part of our family for the past 30 years. Working side by side from a young age, he has been nurtured and guided into the fine gentleman he is today, a true example of resilience and dedication. As our farm manager, he oversees the delicate processes of wine grape, table grape and citrus production and harvesting, showcasing his expertise and unwavering commitment to quality. Additionally, he lends his skills as our assistant winemaker, working closely with Bertus to contribute to the creation of exceptional wines. With a tough exterior that reflects his unwavering work ethic, Toffie embodies the spirit of our vineyard.

Social Responsibility

Under Oaks is committed to making a positive impact in our community of Paarl and surrounds. As a combined fruit farm, wine estate, guesthouse and restaurant we understand the importance of giving back and upliftment. We recognise the critical importance of education in fostering community growth and development.

Under Oaks operates a premium guest destination, and we are dedicated to providing exceptional experiences for our guests. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond our services and products to include our role as a responsible and caring member of the community.