South African Wine

While still a relatively young winery, Devon Rocks has established itself in the heartland of South Africa’s winelands as a producer of fine and elegant Pinotage wines, which can already be enjoyed as young wines or 3 to 5 years after vintage, when they reach their optimum quality. In order to expand the portfolio wine is produced since 2009 from our Shiraz grapes (Red and Rosé) and from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, which are bought in from the neighbourhood.

Devon Rocks, a South African wine farm, has been producing first-class and award winning Pinotage since 2003. Devon Rocks is located in Devon Vale area just outside Stellenbosch, the wine capital of South Africa known around the world for its excellent and high quality wines. Devon Rocks is situated on a sea-facing slope and combines 4 hectares of quality topsoil with a cool microclimate. Ideal conditions for producing well balanced, intense and elegant Pinotage wines. Our grapes are handpicked. The Pinotage is matured for 12 months in carefully selected French oak barrels. As a result of our commitment and dedication to producing only the best wines, our 2003, 2004 and 2005 vintages have been awarded the GOLD Medal and our 2007 the SILVER Medal at the Michelangelo International Wine Awards. Our 2006 vintage is finalist in the renowned ABSA Top 10 Pinotage Competition Pinotage is a truly and uniquely South African grape, the result of a successful crossing between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, then known as Hermitage, hence the name of Pinotage.

Simon Smith was born in Paarl on October 25, 1965, where his parents ran a wine farm, which was later taken over by his older brother. Simon passed matric at the Boland Agricultural Institute in Paarl in 1983. At the Elsenburg Agricultural College he received his Viticulture Diploma in 1987 and 1 year later his Diploma in Oenology. Simon started his very successful professional career as an assistant wine maker at Bellingham. After 2 years Simonsig Wine Estate appointed him as winemaker, where he created some of Simonsig`s award winning wines over a period of 4 years. In 1994 Simon accepted the position as a wine maker at Weltevrede Estate in Bonnievale, where he worked successfully for 3 years. In 1997 Simon was offered the position as winemaker and farm manager at Louisvale Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, where until today he signs responsible for the success of the Estate`s top quality Chardonnays as well as of the award winning Devon Rocks Pinotage wines.