Rising Above: The Story Behind De Grendel’s Op Die Berg Wines
Nestled high in the rugged mountains of the Ceres Plateau, De Grendel’s Op Die Berg range is unlike anything else in the Cape Winelands. Grown in one of the highest-altitude vineyard regions in the Western Cape and South Africa, between 960 and 1,060 metres above sea level, these wines carry the distinctive mark of place, climate, and pioneering vision.
While De Grendel is rooted in the historic Durbanville terroir, the Op Die Berg range represents the adventurous spirit of seeking out extraordinary vineyard sites where nature expresses itself with intensity and elegance. The wines are crafted from grapes grown on three exceptional farms owned by the Graaff Family: Dennekruin, Alhambra, and Rietfontein, all perched around the 1,000m contour and surrounded by snow-capped peaks in winter and apple orchards year-round.
From Bold Experiment to Wine of Origin
The journey of Op Die Berg began in 2005 with Chardonnay vines, long before the region was recognised officially. At the time, all wines from the area were labelled under the broader Western Cape designation. Recognising the distinctiveness of the terroir, De Grendel spearheaded a rezoning effort. After much evaluation and endorsement by respected viticultural and winemaking experts, the Ceres Plateau was formally demarcated as a Wine of Origin region in 2012.
Today, Op Die Berg wines proudly bear the WO Ceres Plateau designation, a testament to their singularity and the pioneering vision that made them possible. It remains one of the most exclusive appellations in South Africa, with limited plantings and even more limited production.
A Site Unlike Any Other
What makes Op Die Berg so special? The answer lies in a combination of factors that together create the perfect recipe for quality winemaking. The high elevation introduces extreme diurnal temperature variation, warm days followed by very cool nights, which slows the ripening process and helps preserve natural acidity. This translates into wines with vibrant colour, refined structure, and exceptional ageing potential.
The vineyards are situated in an area naturally protected from disease due to low humidity and clean mountain air. Botrytis, a common threat in other cool-climate regions like Elim or Hemel-en-Aarde, is almost non-existent here. These clean growing conditions, combined with meticulous vineyard management by master viticulturists result in healthy, flavour-packed grapes with concentrated aroma and structure.
A Climate for Purity and Power
High-altitude vineyards experience a delayed growing season, roughly two to four days later per 100 metres in elevation. This extended growing cycle results in slower, more even ripening and optimal physiological development of the grapes. The long, cool ripening period helps lock in freshness, exotic fruit aromas, and firm, natural acidity - hallmarks of the Op Die Berg range.
Winter snow and cold are not seen as setbacks but as blessings. The chilling conditions help ensure even bud break and dormancy in winter, especially vital for varieties like Chardonnay. Additionally, the deeply weathered shale soils in the region boast a high water-holding capacity, allowing for long dry spells without excessive vine stress. When the vines do begin to experience mild water stress, they do so gradually and in a way that enhances, rather than diminishes, fruit concentration and quality.
Why These Varietals Thrive
Not all grape varieties flourish in the demanding conditions of the Ceres Plateau — and that’s exactly the point. Op Die Berg is home to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah — varietals that shine under continental-like conditions with large temperature fluctuations and slower ripening. Their unique chemical composition makes them ideally suited to this environment.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir perform particularly well, delivering elegant, structured wines with complex layers of fruit, bright acidity, and a mineral thread that speaks to the cool climate. The Syrah, inspired by the northern Rhône style, was a bold, even risky, move — but it has proven to be a remarkable success. Unlike Merlot, which tends to develop overly vegetative and green characteristics in this cooler setting, Syrah expresses dark fruit, spice, and vivid colour, even at lower sugar levels.
Discover the X-Factor
There’s a reason people speak of an X-factor when they describe the wines from Op Die Berg. It’s not just about altitude, or soil, or temperature — it’s the synergy of all these elements, nurtured by hands that understand both the vineyard and the greater forces of nature. Whether it’s the crystalline purity of the Chardonnay, the delicate perfume of the Pinot Noir, or the bold elegance of the Syrah, each bottle invites you to experience a place where the mountains meet the sky — and where wine becomes a mirror of the extraordinary.
Explore the Op Die Berg range in our online shop or visit our Tasting Room to experience these cool-climate wines firsthand.