Niels is the owner and wine maker of “Luddite “farm– named after the men who, during the industrial revolution, felt that machines and technology should never “substitute passion”.

Niels is a man with a clear vision and simple philosophy for life. He just wants to make an outstanding shiraz from his steep cool south east facing terroir, and thus he follows a European style farm where only one varietal is planted on a smaller scale, and the focus is solely on managing the entire farm to produce an outstanding shiraz. This is done without heavy processing technology or pretentious marketing, demonstrated by the fact that each of the bottles of shiraz is hand numbered! We figured out on a postcard that this would take some 3 months! This wine is a clearly a labour of love. Further, Niels or a member of his family who all live on the property will accompany any wine taster who visits.

As he showed us the vista view from his future office perched on a hilltop, it is clear that this small farm will be a welcome stop to the “luddite” within all of us who seeks something simple and genuine. You might also get to try some of his salami or cured ham made from his “happy pigs” which range around unrestrained on the farm, except in fruit seasons when they may interfere with his goal of an outstanding shiraz.

Niels and Penny Verburg
Tel: 028 2849308
Fax: 028 2849045
Email: luddite@telkomsa.net