Vondeling Wines has announced the appointment of acclaimed Swartland winemaker Callie Louw as consulting winemaker and viticultural advisor.
The appointment follows the departure of winemaker Emile van der Merwe, who spent 14 years at Vondeling and made a substantial contribution to the ongoing development of the estate’s wines. The Vondeling team extends its sincere thanks to Emile for his dedication, commitment and valuable role in shaping the winery’s success during his tenure.
For Louw the role marks a return to familiar ground. Between 2005 and 2007, he served as Vondeling’s first winemaker, producing the estate’s earliest vintages, including the inaugural releases of Babiana, which has since become one of South Africa’s most recognised white blends.
Nearly two decades later, he returns with a reputation built on vineyard-led winemaking in the Swartland and a long-standing focus on site expression.
“It’s simple,” says Louw. “If the vineyards are right, the wine will be right. My job is to understand the farming and not get in the way of what the site is trying to say.”
Louw joins at a time of ongoing refinement across both Vondeling and Vrymansfontein, with a clearer focus on vineyard expression and a more defined approach to the wine range.
Vrymansfontein, the hospitality destination of Vondeling Wines and a working almond farm on the Paarl Mountain, has developed into a food and wine destination centred around SCAPE and The Shed, with the Tree Bar offering tastings of Vondeling’s wines in a relaxed farm setting. Alongside this, the property is preparing to release its first estate wines from vineyards planted on site, adding a new dimension to its farming and hospitality offering.
“Food and wine have been central to my life, and to that of my family,” says Max Ward, owner and managing director of Vrymansfontein. “Vrymansfontein has always been about sharing what we value most – good food, good wine, and time around the table. As we prepare to release a new range of wines aligned with these principles, Callie coming on board feels like a natural step.
Alongside his own project, Sonkop, Louw will implement vineyard practices, site selection and the long-term direction of both estates, with a focus on vineyard health and wines that reflect their origin.
His return also reconnects him with Vondeling, where he played a formative role in the estate’s early winemaking history.
As Vrymansfontein prepares for its first estate releases and Vondeling continues to refine its range with a stronger focus on site-driven wines, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to farming, restraint in the cellar, and wines that speak clearly of the Paardeberg.
