A century ago on the farm Winkelshoek, about 30km North of Piketberg, the Hanekom family’s colorful history started. Newly married J.C.H (Jan) Hanekom worked as a sojourner on the farm. In 1904 he obtained lease rights and farmed tobacco. Gradually he began to establish vineyards. The location is hot and grapes achieved high sugars that are ideal for sweeter wine cultivars. In 1918 he sets up a small cellar and buys nine wine barrels at cooper F.S. Smith. The first winemaker in the family tree is born! H.A.C Hanekom, or as we would call him, Grandpa Hennie, is the youngest of Jan Hanekom’s four sons. In those years the common rule was that the eldest son inherited the farm. He therefore decided to study engineering at the University of Stellenbosch. When his elder brother decided to start his own business and call life as a winemaker and farmer farewell, Grandpa Hennie decided there and then to move back to the farm.

Not only did he make the most delicious dessert wines, he used his engineering history and did pioneer work with electricity (Winkelshoek was the first in the area that had electricity). Winkelshoek is therefore a lasting part of the Hanekom family’s success, winemaker genes and pioneer work, which will never be forgotten, just like Grandpa Hennie’s well-guarded “soetwyn” recipe.