Thelema Mountain Vineyards - Premium winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Winery from South Africa - Stellenbosch

Vineyard Thelema Mountain Vineyards

Located on the spectacular Helshoogte Pass in Stellenbosch, the family winery Thelema Mountain Vineyards is home to Thelema and Sutherland Vineyards Wines. The 42 hectares of vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Thelema wines, which are renowned worldwide, surprise with their distinct elegance and wonderful fruitiness.

Owner and winemaker Gyles Webb bought Thelema in 1983, which at that time was still a charming old fruit farm in need of love and care. The old fruit trees were removed and vines were planted. The first wines under the Thelema label were released in 1988 and by the mid-90s Thelema's wines had gained such popularity that new vintages were completely sold out within one month of their release.

Thelema is one of South Africa's most sought-after wineries - a true icon in the South African wine landscape and among the World's Top 100 Wine Estates.

More information

Vineyard facts

Address:: R310 Helshoogte Rd, Stellenbosch, 7600
Geo data address:: -33.90774372378749, 18.922415091264465
Phone:: 021 885 1924
Vineyard website:: https://www.thelema.co.za

Thelema Mountain Vineyards: The Classic!

It was the pleasure of a Burgundy Puligny Montrachet that prompted Gyles Webb to put aside his calculator, give up his career as an accountant and become a winemaker. After graduating in oenology from Stellenbosch University, he worked on many wine farms in South Africa and around the world.

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Winery Profile

Owner:
Familie Barbara & Gyles Webb

Cellar master:
Gyles Webb

Winemakers:
Rudi Schultz, Duncan Clarke

Location
Stellenbosch / South Africa

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How it all began at Thelema...

In 1983, Gyles and his wife Barbara purchased Thelema, a somewhat run-down fruit farm.

Rudi Schultz

Winemaker at Thelema

Gyles Webb, Rudi Schultz & Duncan Clark

Gyles, Rudi and Maik cater to almost every taste with their wines. Whether crisp, fresh, fruity whites or deep, complex reds. The typical characteristics are very restrained, classic and elegant.

Duncan Clark

Winemaker at Thelema

Crescenda

Tasting Room Manager

Crescenda

Crescenda, Thelema's experienced tasting room manager. Crescenda is an expert in wine tasting and guides participants through the tasting with passion and near-perfect German.

Thomas Webb

Gyles' son is now the most important member of the winery, responsible for sales and administration. The small family business has grown into a sizeable family corporation.

Thomas Webb

Sales and administration

A Toast to Gyles

In 2019, he was honoured as a legendary winemaker. An award for his life's work!

GYLES WEBB´S PHILOSOPHY

Intervene as little as possible in the winemaking process. His recipe is loving neglect. Clarification and filtering are kept to a minimum!

He also believes in good wood quality, which is why you will find quality barrels from France in his cellars, both at Thelema and at Sutherland, the second label in Elgin.

The Thelema brand

The first wine under the Thelema name was launched in 1988, five years after the purchase of the old fruit farm. Since then, Gyles Webb has achieved a unique success story with his brand, winning many awards. As a newcomer to the industry, he has worked hard to earn respect in the South African wine market and is now one of South Africa's most respected winemakers.

The Phoenix

In many cultures, the phoenix rising from the ashes symbolises rebirth, renewal or immortality. What a beautiful emblem for a wine brand. Edna and David McLean ran the small Phoenix Garden Hotel when their daughter Barbara married Gyles Webb. After the couple bought the run-down fruit farm, it rose like a phoenix from the ashes. What's more, the bird has been part of the Webb family crest for centuries. Can all this be a coincidence?

The term Thelema

first appeared in the novel ‘Gargantua’ by the French monk Francois Rabelais in 1534. Rabelais was also a writer and wrote about a free monastery, the Abbey of Thélème. It was a free-spirited monastery for men and women. Rabelais incorporated all his humanistic ideas into the book, with plenty of humour and irony. This free, monastic world view was the inspiration for the Thelema wine brand.

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THE SUTHERLAND BRAND

While the Thelema brand was growing and thriving in Stellenbosch, Gyles felt it was time for a new challenge. In 2002, he purchased an apple farm in the cool Elgin region. There, he planted mainly Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The cold maritime climate ensures slower ripening times and thus elegant minerality and concentrated fruit aromas in the wines.

Sutherland wines - Enjoy the best grape quality

Thelema Sutherland Lisa Grenache Noir 2017

Thelema Sutherland Lisa Grenache 2017

€29.95*

Article-Nr.: 401846-17

Content: 0.75 Liter (€39.93* / 1 Liter)

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TASTE IT!

Picturesquely situated in the vineyards – Thelema's new tasting room.

A place to linger and enjoy.

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OPENING HOURS

Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays and public holidays: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sundays: closed
+27 21 885 1924
tastingroom@thelema.co.za
GPS: 33°54′30″S 18°55′23.4″E