The Family

Told by Pieter du Toit, the current proprietor, and farmer:

“In 1956, Kloovenburg was bought by my two grandfathers, Du Toit and De Kock. Grandfather Du Toit was a sheep farmer from the Karoo close to Petrusville and my grandfather De Kock was a businessman from Malmesbury and also acted as Mayor for a couple of years.

In 1957, my parents, Piet ‘Spiere’ and Barbara du Toit, moved to Kloovenburg and started to farm. It was a big challenge for both of them, as my father was a BComm graduate from Stellenbosch University, and my mother a teacher, so neither knew much about farming vineyards.

I matriculated from Swartland High School, did my two years’ military service, and attended Stellenbosch University for two years before joining my father on the farm in 1987. We farmed together for two years before he retired.

In 1988, I married Annalene, who shares my philosophy: start small, work really hard and success will follow.

We are blessed with four boys: Pieter-Steph, Johan, Anton, and Daniël, all who have helped me a lot in the cellar. Daniël has always been Annalene’s olive taster; if he likes it, everybody will love it. The children had always been involved in every aspect of Kloovenburg and that is how and why the brand Eight Feet was born.”

The Vineyard

Kloovenburg vineyards stretch along the lower contours of Kasteelberg (which translates as Castle Mountain), offering a diverse collection of soils, altitudes, and different slopes.

Of the farm’s 300 hectares, 110 are under wine grapes, the best 30% of which are reserved for making Kloovenburg’s own wines.

The soil is mainly Malmesbury schist, with strong loamy soil on the higher ground. The sandier loam lower down the slopes is supplemented by the area’s rich Hutton soil. This varied selection of soils lends itself to planting proportions of 60% red and 40% white, comprised of the following cultivars: Shiraz, the most planted cultivar, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Novelle, Chenin Blanc, Colombar, Pinot Noir, Mourvedre, and Petit Verdot.

Our Sauvignon Blanc is the highest block on the farm, 360 m above sea level, providing perfect conditions for growing a cool-climate varietal.

In 2011, we planted bush vine Grenache, Mourvedre, Shiraz, and Carignan and in August 2015 we are planning to extend our portfolio with Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Verdello .

Future plantings will include Shiraz with exiting new clone variations.