This 163-hectare estate with the optimistic name of Le Bonheur ("Happiness") is situated along the slopes of the Klapmuts Hill in the northern reaches of the Simonsberg Mountain, in the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin district.
Le Bonheur has an enviable terroir. Most of the 65 hectares of vineyards face north, while a few face east and south-east. The vineyards are situated at different altitudes from 200 to 350 metres above sea-level, and each has its own, unique soil characteristics. There are four basic soil types at Le Bonheur: decomposed granite, red loam, sand, and sand over pot clay. Winemaker Sakkie Kotzé harvests wines of excellence from these soils of Klapmuts Hill.
Four years of painstaking labour went into perfecting the structure and composition of the soil before entrusting the vines to it. The improvement and restructuring of Le Bonheur's soils have been modelled on those of the famed vineyards of France.Today, they contain all the minerals and other nutrients needed for growing the top-performing varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Of these varieties, the best clones were selected to suit the Estate's climate and soils. The Chardonnay vines are rooted in areas with well-drained soil and maximum exposure to the sun.
Most of the Sauvignon Blanc vines are planted on the lower slopes in cooler clay soils. The higher-lying vineyards with their red loam and decomposed granite soils have proved to be ideal for the cultivation of the shy-bearing Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines.
Le Bonheur is open for sales, and visitors can taste the acclaimed wines in the historic and completely restored manor house.
Individual and group tastings are available for a fee.
Monday to Friday: 09:00 till 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 till 16:00
