The estate is situated right next to the Breede River, at the base of Zandberg (“Sand Mountain”), approximately 15 km from Robertson. This town is situated in the Western Cape, South Africa, about 1½ hour from Cape Town. The estate lies in the area known as Le Chasseur, well known for its white wines, especially Chardonnay. The estate comprises two adjacent farms, of which the larger is just over 1200 ha.
About 85 % of the total area of the estate is still in its natural condition and a variety of wild life still exists there. The more common species are antelope, steenbok, pheasants and guinea fowls. There are predators like the African lynx and even cheetahs in the mountainous areas.
Cracks in the sandstone of Zandberg filtrate rainwater, letting life-giving water bubble out of the fountains at its base. It also has a cooling effect in summer, because it forces the prevailing south-eastern wind’s air upwards, cooling it down. The source of mineral water at the estate is known as Laughing Waters.
Le Grand Chasseur estate has a Mediterranean climate. The winters are cold and wet and summer are hot and dry. Plenty of sunshine enables the production of highly fragrant wines because the grapes easily ripen. Due to this healthy climate, the use of pesticides and herbicides can be kept to the minimum.
The soil of the estate consists of deep, red limey Karoo-soil, alternated with cooler stone terraces. This variation in the soil enables the production of different styles of wine.
Zandberg is a major physical feature in the area. According to geologists, the mountain formation was originally a part of the Breede River and round river rocks are still found on top of this sandy mountain. This formation lends unique slopes and terroir to Le Grand Chasseur Estate.
The cellar where all our wines are made is situated on the smaller farm. About 3 800 tons of grapes are processed during each harvest. The cellar is well equipped with enough capacity to make high quality wines. A bottle cellar is currently being built to store bottled wines.
The estate has a long history stretching back to the 19th century. Documentation left from those days is not abundant, but it seems that Jakobus and Gerhardus de Wet obtained land to establish the estate in 1881. Today sees the fifth generation of De Wets on the farm. The area where the estate is now situated originally consisted of a number of smaller pieces of land. These had such diverse names as Laughing Waters, Windhoek, Voorspoed, Die Gwharries and Claris World.
In 1937 a school for the children of farm workers was founded by Albertus’ grandfather Bertie. It has grown into a school serving the entire Le Chasseur area. The buildings and grounds have long been transferred to the community, but the estate continues to supply it with water and electricity free of charge.
The first farm workers’ houses were electrified in the 60’s. This was also a first in the area. This led to the “suburb” being called Brightown, a name still with us. In the 1970’s, the estate also became the first one in the area to abolish the “dopstelsel”.
There is also a crèche for the little pre-school children. The center is managed on a part time basis by a qualified social worker and the focus is on enhancing skills and knowledge of women on the estate.
One of the very first mechanical grape harvesters in South Africa was purchased by the estate in the mid 1980’s. This has meant that vineyards can be harvested during the cool nights, which produces better quality wines.
Similarly, in the late 1990's the estate became of the first farms in the area to switch to a radio-controlled irrigation system controlled by a central computer. This leads to a much more precise approach to irrigation, saving water and allowing for new methods like "stressing" of vineyards to produce better quality wines.