Of Wine, Woman and Olive Oil Meeting

at Hildenbrand Wine and Olive Estate in Wellington on the 18th July 2006.

The cape vineyards are scattered with beautiful homes and cellars, new oil barrels and shining stainless steel tanks - all items money can buy...............

But atmosphere and feeling --- now that required a woman's touch.

Reni Hildenbrand, an ex-German, architect and self taught creator of fine red and white wines, olives and olive oils, has followed her childhood passion for winemaking and has created something special at Klein Rhebokskloof, home to Hildenbrand Wines and Olive Oils, Wellington. It took a tragedy - the untimely death of her husband in Johannesburg in 1988, to finally make the move to the country life.

Klein Rhebokskloof was a property in much need of repair when she bought in. Being creative and tenacious, she took

the 300 year old historic buildings and transformed then into a place of working efficiency yet retained the charm and timelessness of the farm. To help pay the bills, she started Klein Rhebokskloos Guest and Country House, the first Guest House in the district.

Quality is of the essence for Reni, including her time. Wine is not only about its taste, but about its place of birth, the hands that nurtured it through the process from grape to wine and the memories of tasting it with its creator.

In the early days on the farm in 1991, a time when the farm had to be restored, from the cellar to vineyard, it was not easy and she had to face the reality of the male dominated farming world. Her introduction left her questioning the gentlemanly virtues of farmers, when on arrival, they found their new neighbour to be a petite, female and a

"buitelander". When attending meetings, she was addressed as "Meneer" even though she was a "Mevrou" and could not speak Afrikaans.

When buying the farm, olive trees were already planted on it. (an interesting factis that the first olive trees planted in South Africa were planted on this farm) Not being a persons to let opportunities go by, Reni decided to put the olives to good use. After spending some time in Tuscany, she tried her hand at making olive oil. To-day HIldenbrand olive oil if sought after by olive oil fundis across the country. Reni is a certified olive oil taster. Her first book "Olives and Oils in South Africa" was launched in October 2003.

She also produces a large variety of Red and Wine wines such as Chardonnay Barrique, Chardonnay unwooded, Chenin Blanc, Semillon and Sleepless Nights (a new baby, aNoble Late Harvest and sill be released in 2006)

Rose Wine - Shiraz Rose Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon Barrique, Cabernet Sauvignon Unwooded, Shiraz, and Malbec (a berry sensation. Raspberries and blueberries explode in your mouth with gracious acidity and full body to round off this taste wonder).

A visit to this wonderful Wine farm or a stay over on a working farm is a must for all visiting the Western Cape Wine Area.