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Introduction
BACKGROUND ON VILLIERA WINES
Cousins Jeff and Simon Grier started the family-owned Villiera Wines outside Stellenbosch in 1983 and embarked on an extensive replanting of classic and local varietals. Cathy Brewer (née Grier) later joined the family team to head up the sales, marketing and export divisions. The introduction of hi-tech cellar facilities for the production of still wines as well as Méthode Cap Classique combined with a unique wine business philosophy has seen Villiera developing into one of the largest private wineries in the country. Award-winning winemaker Jeff Grier crafts a range of wines characterized by a strong reflection of Villiera’s unique terroir and the retention of the distinct aromas and flavours of the different varietals.
METHODE CAP CLASSIQUE
Approximately 35% of the wine production at Villiera is currently focused on bottle-fermented sparkling wines. A joint venture with Frenchman and champagne specialist Jean Louis Denois in the mid 1980s has culminated in some of the finest Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines in the country. The current highly acclaimed range includes a non-vintage Tradition Brut and Tradition Rosé Brut, a Villiera Monro Brut and the additive free Villiera Brut Natural. Villiera has seen exponential growth in the sparkling wine category during the past five years. Although more than sixty percent of their annual production is aimed at the domestic consumer market, Villiera has also experienced success in targeted export markets.
WHITE WINES
Villiera’s white wines are renowned for their distinct fruitiness and ultimate drinkability, while simultaneously offering a great value proposition. Although there is a strong focus on Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, Villiera also produces a white blend appropriately named Down to Earth, which consists of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Smaller quantities of Rhine Riesling and Gewürztraminer are also produced.
RED WINES
The Villiera reds capture the unique combination of Old World and New World styles and have gained international approval for their well-balanced intensity and understated elegance. The predominant varieties are Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, while a blend of the two has resulted in the multiple award-winning Monro label. Proudly carrying the family name of generations of Griers, the Monro blend has been Villiera’s most successful label with numerous awards in the prestigious “Bordeaux†blend category. The 2001 Monro received the Calyon Trophy as the best South African Bordeaux blend in 2005, while the 2002 vintage was awarded a gold medal at both the Calyon and Veritas awards. The red wine range is completed by the Down to Earth, a Shiraz-based blend and smaller quantities of Shiraz, Pinotage and Fired Earth fortified wine.
MAJOR AWARDS
 John Platter Wine Man of the year (Jeff Grier 1995)
 Diners Club Wine Maker of the year 1997 (Sauvignon Blanc Category)
 Winner of Wine Magazine Chenin Blanc Challenge (1999)
 Winner of Paarl Vintners Challenge – 1999 (Merlot/Pinotage – Cape Blend category)
 18 Veritas Double Golds over past 12 years
 5 SAA trophies for best SA Cap Classique, 1 SAA trophy for best SA White wine
(Blanc Fume) and 1 SAA Trophy for best SA red (Mono red 2005).
 2007 Wine-of-the-month club winemaker of the year for the third time (Jeff Grier &
Anton Smal)
 Winner of the ‘Best Cap Classique’ in the 2002, 2007 (runner up as well) and 2012
Old Mutual Trophy. Top scoring Cap Classique in 2008.
 Winner of the Calyon Trophy for South Africa’s best red ‘Bordeaux Blend’ with 2001
Monro (Merlot/ Cab blend) (the 2002 Monro was runner up in the same
competition).
 Winner of the ‘Classic Wine’ Cap Classique Trophy in 2006 & 2007.
 2008 – Top SA Cap Classique at Swiss Air awards and GOLD for MONRO BRUT 2001
 Villiera’s CWG ‘Shooting Star’ Cap Classique fetched a record R450 a bottle at the
2009 CWG Auction.
 THREE 5 star awards for Villiera Cap Classique in the John Platter Wine Guide (only a
handful awarded each year). The latest being for Monro Brut 2005 in the 2011
Guide.
 2010 John Platter ‘Superquaffer of the year’ for Villiera Chenin Blanc 2009
 IWC Trophy for Brut Natural 2007 in 2010
 DECANTER Sparkling Wine Best in Class and Regional TROPHY for Monro Brut 2007
in 2012
 Various Gold & Silver Medals at the International Wine Challenge (IWC), International
Wine and Spirit Competition, Decanter World Wine Awards, Mondial (Brussels), Basel
Wine Fair, Winpac (Hong Kong), MUNDUSvini and Expovena
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
(see separate attachment for more detail)
Viticulturist Simon Grier has always been a keen supporter of maintaining environmentally friendly vineyard management practices. The farm has not sprayed insecticides for the past ten years and a flock of 1000 Peking ducks are responsible for some natural pest control. There is a strong focus on water conservation, recycling and a greening project (currently in progress), which entails the planting of 1000’s of indigenous trees on the farm. This philosophy has led to a vibrant eco-system on the farm, including huge flocks of guinea fowl and pheasant as well as steenbok, Cape foxes, grey mongooses, porcupines and the threatened blue crane.
In 2010 Villiera Wines installed solar power to supply all Villiera’s daytime requirements outside of harvest time. This involves approximately 950 m2 of solar panels mounted on cellar roofs capable of generating 132 KW of power. This is currently the biggest roof mounted Solar Project in South Africa.
This eco-friendly approach has borne fruit with Villiera being accepted as suppliers to Marks & Spencer in the UK and Woolworths in South Africa.
In 2009 the 175 Ha Villiera Wildlife Sanctuary was opened.
BWI member (Biodiversity + Wine Initiative – www.bwi.co.za).
IPW accreditation (Integrated Production of Wine (an environmental sustainability scheme) – www.ipw.co.za). From 2010 all Villiera wines will carry the new Sustainability Seal issued by SAWIS (The SA Wine and Spirit Board)
Villiera was awarded the M&S Overseas Plan A in Action award in 2010. It’s all about “Doing the right thingâ€.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/MSTV/b/311612031?intid=emtv_0_44009214001_77491188001
 2011 ETA Awards: Energy Efficiency Champion Runner-up
WIETA ACCREDITATION
In 2006, Villiera Wines became a fully accredited member of the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association, which was established in November 2002. The association was instrumental in bringing together stake holders in the Western Cape wine and broader agricultural industries to promote ethical trade in the agricultural sector. WIETA’s mission is to improve the working conditions of employees within the agricultural industry by adhering to ethical employment practices. The WIETA Code of Conduct prohibits the use of child labour, excessive working hours and unfair discrimination, while ensuring a healthy and safe working environment and the right to a living wage.
BEE
- BBBEE (Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment): Villiera is a certified ‘Value
Adding Enterprise’. This is an ongoing process
- We have been audited by Woolworths and Marks & Spencer for Ethical behaviour,
Food safety and Health & Safety.
M’HUDI WINES
M’Hudi Wines is a mentorship programme between the Grier family and the Rangaka family from a neighbouring vineyard. M’Hudi Wines is 100% owned by the Rangaka’s with Villiera assisting with production and marketing of the wines. The result has been the release of a highly successful range of M’Hudi wines, which are sold in South Africa and grace the shelves of Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom.
UPLIFTMENT PROJECTS
• Daycare centre – two trained pre-primary teachers are in charge of an early
childhood development programme on the farm taking care of 16 children of
Villiera farm workers (expert supervision and training is provided by the Pebbles
Project).
• After-school club – a fully equipped after-school club provides a safe environment
where children can complete their homework assignments under supervision while
their parents are still at work (again supervision and training is provided by the
Pebbles Project and the Anna Foundation).
• Anna Foundation – spend 2 afternoons a week with the afterschool kids teaching
reading, writing and sport.
• Both the Pebbles Project and The Anna Foundation spend a lot of time teaching the
kids environmental awareness and taking them on day trips.
• Many skills development projects with staff.
• Parent training workshops.
• Support a few vegetable growing projects of our farm staff.
• Have an indigenous tree growing project amongst our staff. All trees are purchased
from them by Villiera for planting on our properties.
• A new project in the pipeline will be an environmental centre for training children
and adults on environmental awareness.
DOMAINE GRIER
Villiera embarked on an international venture in 2006 when they invested in a small vineyard in the Roussillon region in the South of France. They acquired a 22-hectare vineyard and cellar near the town of St Paul de Fenouillet. Varieties planted include Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Maccabeu and Viognier. The range from Domaine Grier will reflect both classic and modern styles, adding a new dimension to Villiera’s offering of superb wines (www.domainegrier.com).
The Domaine Grier Galamus 2009 was recently awarded 3* and « Coup de Cœur » ♥ Guide Hachette 2012.
For more information, visit www.villiera.com or phone Villiera Wines on 021-8652002.
ENDS
Cousins Jeff and Simon Grier started the family-owned Villiera Wines outside Stellenbosch in 1983 and embarked on an extensive replanting of classic and local varietals. Cathy Brewer (née Grier) later joined the family team to head up the sales, marketing and export divisions. The introduction of hi-tech cellar facilities for the production of still wines as well as Méthode Cap Classique combined with a unique wine business philosophy has seen Villiera developing into one of the largest private wineries in the country. Award-winning winemaker Jeff Grier crafts a range of wines characterized by a strong reflection of Villiera’s unique terroir and the retention of the distinct aromas and flavours of the different varietals.
METHODE CAP CLASSIQUE
Approximately 35% of the wine production at Villiera is currently focused on bottle-fermented sparkling wines. A joint venture with Frenchman and champagne specialist Jean Louis Denois in the mid 1980s has culminated in some of the finest Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines in the country. The current highly acclaimed range includes a non-vintage Tradition Brut and Tradition Rosé Brut, a Villiera Monro Brut and the additive free Villiera Brut Natural. Villiera has seen exponential growth in the sparkling wine category during the past five years. Although more than sixty percent of their annual production is aimed at the domestic consumer market, Villiera has also experienced success in targeted export markets.
WHITE WINES
Villiera’s white wines are renowned for their distinct fruitiness and ultimate drinkability, while simultaneously offering a great value proposition. Although there is a strong focus on Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, Villiera also produces a white blend appropriately named Down to Earth, which consists of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Smaller quantities of Rhine Riesling and Gewürztraminer are also produced.
RED WINES
The Villiera reds capture the unique combination of Old World and New World styles and have gained international approval for their well-balanced intensity and understated elegance. The predominant varieties are Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, while a blend of the two has resulted in the multiple award-winning Monro label. Proudly carrying the family name of generations of Griers, the Monro blend has been Villiera’s most successful label with numerous awards in the prestigious “Bordeaux†blend category. The 2001 Monro received the Calyon Trophy as the best South African Bordeaux blend in 2005, while the 2002 vintage was awarded a gold medal at both the Calyon and Veritas awards. The red wine range is completed by the Down to Earth, a Shiraz-based blend and smaller quantities of Shiraz, Pinotage and Fired Earth fortified wine.
MAJOR AWARDS
 John Platter Wine Man of the year (Jeff Grier 1995)
 Diners Club Wine Maker of the year 1997 (Sauvignon Blanc Category)
 Winner of Wine Magazine Chenin Blanc Challenge (1999)
 Winner of Paarl Vintners Challenge – 1999 (Merlot/Pinotage – Cape Blend category)
 18 Veritas Double Golds over past 12 years
 5 SAA trophies for best SA Cap Classique, 1 SAA trophy for best SA White wine
(Blanc Fume) and 1 SAA Trophy for best SA red (Mono red 2005).
 2007 Wine-of-the-month club winemaker of the year for the third time (Jeff Grier &
Anton Smal)
 Winner of the ‘Best Cap Classique’ in the 2002, 2007 (runner up as well) and 2012
Old Mutual Trophy. Top scoring Cap Classique in 2008.
 Winner of the Calyon Trophy for South Africa’s best red ‘Bordeaux Blend’ with 2001
Monro (Merlot/ Cab blend) (the 2002 Monro was runner up in the same
competition).
 Winner of the ‘Classic Wine’ Cap Classique Trophy in 2006 & 2007.
 2008 – Top SA Cap Classique at Swiss Air awards and GOLD for MONRO BRUT 2001
 Villiera’s CWG ‘Shooting Star’ Cap Classique fetched a record R450 a bottle at the
2009 CWG Auction.
 THREE 5 star awards for Villiera Cap Classique in the John Platter Wine Guide (only a
handful awarded each year). The latest being for Monro Brut 2005 in the 2011
Guide.
 2010 John Platter ‘Superquaffer of the year’ for Villiera Chenin Blanc 2009
 IWC Trophy for Brut Natural 2007 in 2010
 DECANTER Sparkling Wine Best in Class and Regional TROPHY for Monro Brut 2007
in 2012
 Various Gold & Silver Medals at the International Wine Challenge (IWC), International
Wine and Spirit Competition, Decanter World Wine Awards, Mondial (Brussels), Basel
Wine Fair, Winpac (Hong Kong), MUNDUSvini and Expovena
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
(see separate attachment for more detail)
Viticulturist Simon Grier has always been a keen supporter of maintaining environmentally friendly vineyard management practices. The farm has not sprayed insecticides for the past ten years and a flock of 1000 Peking ducks are responsible for some natural pest control. There is a strong focus on water conservation, recycling and a greening project (currently in progress), which entails the planting of 1000’s of indigenous trees on the farm. This philosophy has led to a vibrant eco-system on the farm, including huge flocks of guinea fowl and pheasant as well as steenbok, Cape foxes, grey mongooses, porcupines and the threatened blue crane.
In 2010 Villiera Wines installed solar power to supply all Villiera’s daytime requirements outside of harvest time. This involves approximately 950 m2 of solar panels mounted on cellar roofs capable of generating 132 KW of power. This is currently the biggest roof mounted Solar Project in South Africa.
This eco-friendly approach has borne fruit with Villiera being accepted as suppliers to Marks & Spencer in the UK and Woolworths in South Africa.
In 2009 the 175 Ha Villiera Wildlife Sanctuary was opened.
BWI member (Biodiversity + Wine Initiative – www.bwi.co.za).
IPW accreditation (Integrated Production of Wine (an environmental sustainability scheme) – www.ipw.co.za). From 2010 all Villiera wines will carry the new Sustainability Seal issued by SAWIS (The SA Wine and Spirit Board)
Villiera was awarded the M&S Overseas Plan A in Action award in 2010. It’s all about “Doing the right thingâ€.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/MSTV/b/311612031?intid=emtv_0_44009214001_77491188001
 2011 ETA Awards: Energy Efficiency Champion Runner-up
WIETA ACCREDITATION
In 2006, Villiera Wines became a fully accredited member of the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association, which was established in November 2002. The association was instrumental in bringing together stake holders in the Western Cape wine and broader agricultural industries to promote ethical trade in the agricultural sector. WIETA’s mission is to improve the working conditions of employees within the agricultural industry by adhering to ethical employment practices. The WIETA Code of Conduct prohibits the use of child labour, excessive working hours and unfair discrimination, while ensuring a healthy and safe working environment and the right to a living wage.
BEE
- BBBEE (Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment): Villiera is a certified ‘Value
Adding Enterprise’. This is an ongoing process
- We have been audited by Woolworths and Marks & Spencer for Ethical behaviour,
Food safety and Health & Safety.
M’HUDI WINES
M’Hudi Wines is a mentorship programme between the Grier family and the Rangaka family from a neighbouring vineyard. M’Hudi Wines is 100% owned by the Rangaka’s with Villiera assisting with production and marketing of the wines. The result has been the release of a highly successful range of M’Hudi wines, which are sold in South Africa and grace the shelves of Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom.
UPLIFTMENT PROJECTS
• Daycare centre – two trained pre-primary teachers are in charge of an early
childhood development programme on the farm taking care of 16 children of
Villiera farm workers (expert supervision and training is provided by the Pebbles
Project).
• After-school club – a fully equipped after-school club provides a safe environment
where children can complete their homework assignments under supervision while
their parents are still at work (again supervision and training is provided by the
Pebbles Project and the Anna Foundation).
• Anna Foundation – spend 2 afternoons a week with the afterschool kids teaching
reading, writing and sport.
• Both the Pebbles Project and The Anna Foundation spend a lot of time teaching the
kids environmental awareness and taking them on day trips.
• Many skills development projects with staff.
• Parent training workshops.
• Support a few vegetable growing projects of our farm staff.
• Have an indigenous tree growing project amongst our staff. All trees are purchased
from them by Villiera for planting on our properties.
• A new project in the pipeline will be an environmental centre for training children
and adults on environmental awareness.
DOMAINE GRIER
Villiera embarked on an international venture in 2006 when they invested in a small vineyard in the Roussillon region in the South of France. They acquired a 22-hectare vineyard and cellar near the town of St Paul de Fenouillet. Varieties planted include Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Maccabeu and Viognier. The range from Domaine Grier will reflect both classic and modern styles, adding a new dimension to Villiera’s offering of superb wines (www.domainegrier.com).
The Domaine Grier Galamus 2009 was recently awarded 3* and « Coup de Cœur » ♥ Guide Hachette 2012.
For more information, visit www.villiera.com or phone Villiera Wines on 021-8652002.
ENDS
Contact Info
Address:
Cnr R101 & R304
Koelenhof
Western Cape 7600
South Africa
Koelenhof
Western Cape 7600
South Africa
Tel:
+27 21 865 2002
Fax:
+27 21 865 2314
Website:
http://www.villiera.com
Hours of operation
| From | To | From | To | From | To | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 09:00 | 17:00 | ||||
| Tuesday | Open | 09:00 | 17:00 | ||||
| Wednesday | Open | 09:00 | 17:00 | ||||
| Thursday | Open | 09:00 | 17:00 | ||||
| Friday | Open | 09:00 | 17:00 | ||||
| Saturday | Open | 09:00 | 17:00 | ||||
| Sunday | Closed | ||||||
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