It’s been just over 2 years since Stellenbosch’s oldest wine farm, Blaauwklippen’s Manor House – now beautifully restored – caught fire on the 7th of April 2024. The estate, established in 1682, was the first registered company in the country and the holder of the nation’s first Title Deed, making it a significant heritage property in South Africa. Naturally, the effect of the 2024 fire touched many, especially those who work there – winemaker, Narina Cloete included. Following the recent premiere of the wine estate’s documentary at the WTM Africa 2026, one thing is clear: The wines of Blaauwklippen come from a place of resilience and legacy. They know about rebuilding, restoration and renewal and that is what the 2024 vintage and beyond will continue to hold.
Memories of Fire & Wine at Blaauwklippen Wine Estate
It was her first weekend off following weeks of tending to the latest harvest. Narina was in bed – trying to fall asleep amidst a raging storm outside – when she got the call. Blaauwklippen’s Manor House was up in flames. Soon, the team on the ground was sending video after video and she realised that the cellar – holding not only the 2024 vintage, but also wines from 2023 and other older heritage vintages – was in danger. She explains that a delivery route encircling the cellar is where the fire came to a halt. “50 meters from the cellar,” she says, utter relief still audible in her voice. Had something caught fire close to the cellar, chances are that they would have lost an invaluable number of wines in barrel, bottled wines and heritage wines. Still, Narina says nothing – not even a box of wine – caught fire in the cellar during this tragedy and whilst emotions of fear, anxiety and worry came up when she heard the news, she says a grateful heart and relief came over her as dawn broke.
Stories from the Ashes
Naturally, one would expect that the 2024 vintage will come with a rather impressive story, but somehow, there is almost a sense of silent triumph that lingers when Narina talks about the wines that survived the fire. Still, there’s a theme of resilience that is sure to make this vintage stand out from the rest. It speaks of adversity; of the people who – following the fire – had to get back up and continue grafting as they’d done the week before. Narina says there were wines that needed tending to in the cellar and even amidst the chaos, she had to take a cue from Dory in the animation, Finding Nemo and “just keep swimming.” She realised that they had to pick up the pieces and move forward. “We could have mourned our losses for four, five weeks,” she says, “but then we would have lost our 2024 wines too due to spoilage.”
Over the years, Narina – like many of us – has learned that “life is hard sometimes and you need to decide if you’re going to stay down, or get back up again.” Ultimately, that is what the Blaauwklippen 2024 vintage’s story will continue to be – a story of character and resilience. One of grit amidst adversity.
Tasting Memories at Blaauwklippen
There were barely any signs of smoke in the cellar following the fire, according to Narina. In fact, it smelled more of smoke when there were veld or fynbos fires in the past. Contrary to what one might think, she says that wine lovers shouldn’t expect any smoky elements on the nose of the wines that survived the fire.
It’s rather interesting how strong one’s mind can be, though. Narina explains that the power of memory certainly influences how you experience life, and wines. She tells the story of how her late mother always wore Chanel No 5 and how, when she walks into Woolworths today and smells that perfume, she instantly wants to turn around to see where her mom is. Similarly, the 2024 vintage will come with its own set of memories and trigger recollections of the fire, of rebuilding and of character.
A Wine Documentary Worth Watching
Recognised for their work in premium storytelling, including their involvement in the award-winning documentary series, Chasing the Sun, T&W’s approach to storytelling is rooted in authenticity and emotional depth. They bring a cinematic lens to real stories, with a focus on people, place and purpose. Needless to say that together with Director, Jean Willers, T&W was the perfect fit when it came to capturing the story of Blaauwklippen. They’ve created a documentary that focuses on the estate’s heritage with a combination of archival and contemporary storytelling, including a range of human stories that give the viewer a glimpse of Blaauklippen’s major events and its legacy.
As Craig Bester, Chief Brand Executive at Blaauwklippen Wine Estate says: “When the Manor House fire happened, it was a moment that could have defined us. Instead, it became a turning point. This film captures not just where Blaauwklippen comes from, but the resilience and commitment required to rebuild something that carries so much history.” He says that Blaauwklippen has always been more than a wine estate. “It is a living part of South Africa’s history. This documentary is about honouring that legacy, acknowledging what we’ve been through and showing how we move forward with purpose, care and respect for what came before us.”
Blaauwklippen’s 2024 vintage’s wines are due to be released later in 2026 and promise to bring a whole lot of character and stories of resilience with it. Stay in the loop by following them on Instagram @blaauwklippen or visit their website.
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