From a dream to reality

The Stables Wine Estate, on a former thoroughbred stud, is a few kilometres from the centre of Nottingham Road. It is set on farmlands in the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, with vineyards stretching out across the old racehorse paddocks. The majestic uKhahlamba-Drakensberg is in the distance. The scenery and tranquillity on the estate are remarkable. It's the perfect setting for a wine estate.

Tiny and Judy van Niekerk, who share immense appreciation for fine wines fantasised about starting their own estate. Their combined love of wines fuelled a yearning to pursue this dream and to craft wines from their own vineyards. This was the beginning of a new adventure and inspired them to establish KwaZulu-Natal's pioneering wine estate. Achieving what was considered the impossible and breaking new ground in the wine industry, followed. History was made in 2005 when KwaZulu-Natal was designated as a new wine of origin area, and in 2006 when the Van Niekerks released the first certified KwaZulu-Natal wine of origin wine.

Tiny and Judy came across Nottingham Road by accident. They were in search of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - a breed of dog Judy had always wanted. This pursuit brought them to the area, which they fell in love with. It reminded them of parts of France, particularly Burgundy. This was when the seed was planted to start a wine farm, with a difference, in South Africa.

The Stables Wine Estate consists of 27 hectares of vines - eight in Nottingham Road and 19 in Greytown. The wines being produced from the grapes of these vines are winning recognition already, proving that quality wines can be produced in KZN. In 2007 the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage won bronze and silver respectively. There are more awards to come.

The future of The Stables Wine Estate is filled with possibilities. The team has triumphed and the Van Niekerks will continue to be the pioneers of the wine industry in the KwaZulu-Natal region. "We will firmly establish KwaZulu-Natal as a successful wine of origin area and produce wines of world-class quality and distinction," they say.

Services

• Function Facilities
• Conference Facilities

Languages Spoken

• English
• Afrikaans
• Zulu

GPS Co-ordinates:

S 29 20' 18.3'' E 029 59' 7.0''

From Durban/Pietermaritzburg
Follow the N3 highway towards Johannesburg. Just past Midmar Dam, take the turn off numbered Exit 117 towards Howick North/Tweedie and follow the road (R103) past Lions River, Lidgetton and Balgowan to Nottingham Road. At Nottingham Road turn left under the railway bridge, and follow the road to the right towards Rosetta. The turn off to The Stables is on your left, a few kilometres down the road to Rosetta.

From Escourt/Johannesburg
From the N3 towards Pietermaritzburg, take the Nottingham Road turn off, turn right across the bridge, and drive to Nottingham Road. At Nottingham Road turn right under the railway bridge, and follow the road to the right towards Rosetta. The turn off to The Stables is on your left, a few kilometres down the road to Rosetta.