i. This Is The Farm
In the year 2000 this small farm was very different from what it is now. Although its inherent natural beauty and charm was always there, it was, sadly, just a run down and neglected little fruit farm in a beautiful valley against a backdrop of majestic mountains and a river running through it.
It stole our hearts.
We decided to give it our best.
Kleinood Farm has just twelve hectares of arable land. Of these, ten hectares are devoted to vines, with the remaining two under olive trees. The rest of the farm is planted with trees, fynbos, roses and vegetables, or left wild.
Over time it has become a personal and highly individual project where no effort was spared in striving to produce a thing of excellence and beauty underpinned with a simple and holistic philosophy dedicated to explore, develop and use the full potential of the farm and human skills in order to produce the best Kleinood is capable of.
“Everything on and about Kleinood is rooted in the history of our family as well as in the Cape and the Boland, because we believe that it is important to belong, to have a heritage and to take care of the things that came before us and that put us here. Naming something is giving it an identity of its own in terms of its origin and the world in which it has to find its way.”
– Gerard & Libby de Villiers
ii. Visitor Information
Kleinood Farm is open
Monday to Saturday
from 10am to 4pm
Open on Public Holidays
Closed every Sunday
iii. What’s In A Name?
kleinood = something small & precious
Kleinood the Afrikaans word from Dutch and German origin translates to something “small and precious”. This is exactly what the farm means to us and precisely what it is – a small farm, very dear to our hearts, specialising in the production of terroir driven wines, predominantly Rhône style Syrah.
The sole insignia depicts a sheep bearing a flag, derived from the official de Villiers family crest. The Agnus Dei or Lamb of God, sometimes referred to as the Paschal lamb, on the De Villiers family coat of arms, refers to Christ as referred to by St. John the Baptist as “The Lamb of God”.
tamboerskloof = valley of the drums
Before moving to the Boland, the de Villiers family lived in this suburb in Cape Town for 25 years. Tamboerskloof is an integral part of the de Villiers family history as well as that of Cape Town and the Boland. Hence, the name of our beloved wines, and ode to where the dream of Kleinood farm began.
die pierewaaiers = the dandies
This is a collection of rare Tamboerskloof wines inspired by the exceptional grapes that cross our path.
All the dandies are made in the Kleinood winery in the Kleinood way, but only occasionally, when the grapes insist, and in very small quantities.
Before release, each bottle is labelled by hand and each cork sealed with wax. Each bottle is nattily dressed in a recycled paper bag and tied at the top with a thinly cut repurposed tyre tube – pretty dandy.
de herder = the shepherd
The one who patiently walks the hills and valleys in search of the best grazing for his flock. Inspired by this sacred and ancient practice, we searched the rugged mountain folds of Stellenbosch for select parcels of vineyard to bring you, our flock, an expressive Rhône blend made on Kleinood Farm.
de boerin = lady farmer
Annetjie Boom was the first innkeeper and restaurateur in the Cape in 1665. She was also the first female landowner – a capable and innovative businesswoman highly respected and well-loved by the community of the Cape of Good Hope. The Kleinood de Boerin was derived from the nickname, Annetjie de Boerin, as she was fondly called.
The image, by Vincent van Gogh, representing de Boerin, is not of a successful and enterprising woman, but that of an unassuming peasant woman working the land, alone against a stark landscape – a humble being quietly going about her daily work. She is not down-trodden or pathetic, but grounded, authentic and unapologetically voluptuous. Her skirts are ample, and her hands firm and able.
de Boerin has been an integral part of Kleinood Farm from the beginning – before the buildings, the wine, the tasting room – she was there when it was just a small patch of land. In a way, everything started with the gardens…
de krant = the newspaper
News & Stories from Kleinood Farm.
Kleinood Farm turns 25 In the year 2000 the small farm, that was to become Kleinood, was very different from what it is now. But it stole our hearts and we decided to give it our best... Now, 25 years…
Presenting a sensorial celebration: smell, taste, see & hear Kleinood Farm with the Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah. This year we are celebrating Kleinood's twenty first birthday. To commemorate our coming of age, we are launching the new vintage of our…
paying homage to a cultivar & its aficionados Gather in a hidden corner of the cellar for a lingering private master Syrah tasting, hosted by the owner and/or winemaker of Kleinood Farm. Sip and discuss a curated selection from our…
The tasting room on Kleinood is a homely extension of the winery. It captures the intimate and inviting spirit of this small and precious farm. Take A Seat On a rainy day, around the long table inside the tasting room, next…
A collection of timeless garments for women who do The shapes are timeless and forgiving - simple, free and unassuming. The fabric is fresh, natural and honest. Shop The Collection Muses Annetjie Boom was a farmer, innkeeper and restaurateur in the Cape in 1665. She…
The image, by Vincent van Gogh, representing de Boerin, is not of a successful and enterprising woman, but that of an unassuming peasant woman working the land, alone against a stark landscape - a humble being quietly going about her daily…
While summer roses all their glory yield To crown the votary of love and joy, Misfortune’s victim hails, with many a sigh, Thee, scarlet Poppy of the pathless field, Gaudy, yet wild and lone; no leaf to shield Thy flaccid…
Experience Kleinood Farm with a private guided meander. Then, sit down to savour the fruits of our labour. A moveable feast of storytelling & the making of memories. Open Map Booking essential! This experience takes 3+ hours. It includes a…
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