Bartinney Private Cellar Stellenbosch is one of the Cape Winelands’ most historically rooted and visually dramatic boutique wine estates — a 28-hectare mountain farm established in 1912, perched on the steep slopes of the Botmaskop alongside the Helshoogte Pass, overlooking the picturesque Banhoek Valley with the Simonsberg and Drakenstein mountain ranges as the backdrop. Owned by the Jordaan family since 1953, and now passionately tended to by Rose and Michael Jordaan who repurchased the 40-hectare farm in 2006 with a vision “to create excellent wines and reawaken the charm of the historic land,” Bartinney produces award-winning small-lot wines from old vineyards planted at up to 550 metres above sea level on slopes as steep as 45 degrees — with a commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, and the harmonious relationship between agriculture and nature that has made it a WWF Conservation Champion and planted more than 7,000 indigenous trees and fynbos on the property. With 4,835 Facebook likes, wine tastings from R125 per person, and a sister Bartinney Wine & Champagne Bar in central Stellenbosch, Bartinney is one of the Winelands’ most complete wine experiences.

The Farm: A Century of History and 45-Degree Vineyard Slopes

The physical character of Bartinney is defined by its terrain. This is not a flat valley floor wine estate — it is a mountain farm, with vineyards clinging to slopes as steep as 45 degrees, at altitudes reaching 550 metres above sea level, in a position that gives the grapes the cool-climate character, the diurnal temperature range, and the elevation stress that produce wines of exceptional expression and intensity.

Established in 1912, Bartinney has been in the Jordaan family since 1953. The farm’s 28–40 hectares encompass vineyards, fynbos-covered mountain slopes, and the indigenous tree planting programme that reflects the estate’s commitment to biodiversity. Old vines planted to a height of 550m above sea level, with slopes as steep as 45 degrees, create wines that have exceptional expression and character.

The Wines: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon

Bartinney’s wine range focuses on three varieties, each matched to the most appropriate microclimate and slope on the estate:

Chardonnay — planted on the cooler, elevated slopes, producing wines with fresh fruit character, balanced acidity, and the complexity that high-altitude, hand-tended viticulture provides. Hand-tended Chardonnay vineyards on cooler elevated slopes yield perfect fruit.

Sauvignon Blanc — the estate’s most widely recognised variety, regularly awarded in South African and international competitions. The cool-climate, high-altitude character gives the Sauvignon Blanc a distinctively fresh, precise quality.

Cabernet Sauvignon — grown at lower altitudes in deep red soil at the foothills of the Botmaskop. The Bartinney Cabernet Sauvignon has been described as “a classic and highly endowed drop with seductive aromas of cassis, fragrant tobacco and pencil shavings.”

All wines are produced in small lots and are classified as estate wines — meaning 100% of the fruit is grown on the Bartinney farm itself. The estate regularly receives awards and critical recognition.

The Tasting Experience: Estate, Fynbos, and Tempest Gin

Bartinney offers multiple tasting experiences at the estate:

Bartinney Estate Wine Tasting — R125 per person, a guided exploration of the estate’s wine range in the lovingly renovated tasting shed overlooking the Banhoek Valley.

Bartinney Wine & Fynbos Experience — R80 per person, an innovative multi-sensory tasting that pairs estate wines alongside native fynbos grown on the farm nursery. The multi-sensory tasting changes your perceptions of the wines and highlights the ongoing commitment to conserving unique Cape biodiversity. Must be booked in advance.

The Tempest Gin Tasting — R185 per person, exploring Bartinney’s sister brand The Tempest Gin, infused with native fynbos from the farm. Three gin variants and cocktail options are available.

The tasting shed at the estate has been lovingly renovated and is described as draped with native fynbos plants from the farm nursery, with a stunning chandelier crafted from old Chardonnay vines. Three terraces provide unrivalled panoramic views over the Banhoek Valley and Simonsberg mountain.

The Bartinney Wine & Champagne Bar: Stellenbosch Town Centre

A sister operation in the heart of Stellenbosch town brings the Bartinney experience closer to visitors and locals who cannot make the drive up the Helshoogte Pass. The buzzing bar in central Stellenbosch offers sustainably produced, small-lot wines alongside wine-friendly seasonal nibbles and sharing plates, with comfortable reclaimed armchairs, a terrace, and a stunning light installation crafted from old Chardonnay vines.

Sustainability: Conservation Champion and 7,000 Trees

Bartinney’s philosophy is explicitly rooted in sustainability. The estate’s belief is that excellence in wine must be a harmonious pursuit: “agriculture with nature, people with animals, sustainability with excellence.” Practical expression of this philosophy includes more than 7,000 indigenous trees and fynbos planted on the property, the Fynbos Tasting experience that celebrates Cape biodiversity, and the estate’s recognised status as a WWF Conservation Champion.

Tasting Hours and Location

Tastings are available Monday to Friday 10:00–16:00. Cellar tours can be arranged on prior request.

Bartinney Private Cellar is 8.1 km from central Stellenbosch and 37.4 km from Cape Town International Airport, positioned on the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

Tel: 021 885 1013
Email: tastingshed@bartinney.co.za

For wine tasting bookings, cellar tour arrangements, and Tempest Gin enquiries, visit Bartinney Private Cellar’s official website.

Explore more wine estates and tasting venues in Stellenbosch through our Stellenbosch event venues directory, or browse all Western Cape event venue listings for venues across the province.