History: Napier Winery, set in a magnificent valley close to Wellington in the Western Cape, owes its name to Sir George Napier, Governor of the Cape of Good Hope from 1837 to 1843. It was Napier that christened the quaint rural town after the famous Duke of Wellington. People: Present owner, Michael Loubser, purchased the farm in 1989. In a short while facilities on the farm were upgraded. A modern winery was built, followed by a modern maturation and fermentation cellar. The new millennium added a brandy distillery, and alongside quality, handcrafted wines, now stands the Sir George potstill brandy. Napier Winery, under the careful eye of viticulturist, winemaker and estate manager, Leon Bester, strives to make premium wines (red and white) that rank with the best in the world, while reflecting the warmth of their African roots. Grapes are grown on the farm, picked and sorted by hand, and vinified with great care. Terroir: Half of the 66 hectare farm is under vines. During the upgrading process, careful consideration was taken not to damage the indigenous green „footprint‟that lives alongside the vineyards. Seven dams provide plenty of irrigation water for the vineyards. Grape varieties include: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Colombar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Shiraz.