I've been a visitor to the Cederberg since 1982. I'm passionate about this area and its people, who live a fascinating lifestyle, many off the grid. I'm privileged to be called a friend, a virtual 'member of the family' by some of the people. This blog is my personal record of more than 35 years visiting this fantastic, rugged and mountainous region of the Western Cape, South Africa. The photo above shows the house that C Louis Leipoldt's family occupied. Now used as guest accommodation.

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Freak electric storm brings fire but no rain

Cederberg - 20 December 2017.

Looking South of East - a faint glow from sunset.



Freakish weather resulted in a short electric storm without any rain, but lightning started a fire north west of the Uitkyk Pass. This photo was taken an hour after dark and shows the reflection of the mountain fire off the clouds in the west - note also the stars in the night sky. 

Bottling and Labeling Time in the Cederberg

A truly busy place to visit in mid-December 2017, Cederberg Private Wine Cellar was busy with bottling and labeling of wines right across the range.

Here, the Waitrose Shiraz was being labeled to get ready for the UK market. 

But there is much more to this  arrangement than a simple business transaction. Waitrose, in conjunction with the farm owners, pass on a proportion of profits into a trust to pay for educational, social and healthcare projects chosen by the farm's workers. 

A truly winning relationship made famous by the stunning people of the Cederberg.


Cederberg December 2017 - Waitrose Shiraz - Vintage 2016

Called the workers' wine, the people of Dwarsrivier benefit directly from the Waitrose partnership.