Slanghoek
Opstal
Carl Everson Cape Red
BlackcurrantFynbos SpiceMulberryEstate Flagship
Details
Variety
Cape Blend
Style
Red
Region
Slanghoek
Appellation
Slanghoek
Producer
Opstal
Country
South Africa
Trade Materials
The Inspiration
Named after fourth-generation farmer Carl Everson, this flagship Cape Blend honors the man whose vision transformed Opstal from a grape-growing farm into a respected wine estate. At a time when many producers chose the security of the co-operative, Carl believed in the potential of the Slanghoek Valley and the character of its vineyards. His determination laid the foundation for the generations that followed, and this wine proudly carries his legacy forward.
A true Cape Blend must contain at least 30% Pinotage, South Africa's signature grape, combined with other classic varieties to create a wine that is distinctly South African. Opstal's interpretation brings together Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan and Cinsaut in a harmonious expression of heritage and innovation. Elegant, balanced and unmistakably Cape, it celebrates the diversity of the country's vineyards while paying tribute to the pioneering spirit that inspired it.
About Opstal
7th generation family farm since 1847
Opstal represents seven generations of family stewardship in South Africa's Slanghoek Valley within the Breedekloof (Slanghoek translates from Afrikaans as "Snake's Corner"), dating back to 1847. Owned and managed by the Louw family, the estate has built its reputation on warm hospitality, beautiful surroundings and quality winemaking in this cooler wine-growing climate that produces fruit-forward wines due to a slower ripening of the vines.
The operation centers on collaboration and continuity. Cellar Master Attie Louw and his brother Zak, who manages production, work alongside their parents, sixth-generation Stanley and Ria Louw. The team is bolstered by farm staff representing three generations of workers, with thirty families residing on the property. This stability creates institutional knowledge that shapes every vintage.
The estate's philosophy blends tradition with gratitude. The pocket-friendly Sixpence range honors both a legendary shepherd and the countless workers whose dedication built the estate's legacy, while the Carl Everson heritage range celebrates the family's winemaking lineage. Rather than viewing winemaking as a solitary pursuit, Opstal explicitly celebrates it as collective achievement: every family member, past and present, plays a vital role in their story. Under Attie Louw's stewardship, Opstal has leant into regenerative farming with a herd of Dexter cattle and an active Cape Nature partnership to preserve the surrounding fynbos, and the estate has earned a growing reputation with many global accolades.
