DGB, one of South Africa’s largest independent wine and spirit producers and distributors, has taken over the Avontuur Wine brand, cellar and cellar door as an extension of its significant investment in Helderberg. As part of the long-term agreement, DGB will uproot and replant all the leaf roll infected vineyards on Avontuur Estate. Leaf roll is a virus that infects grapevines, drastically reducing the crop yield of infected vineyards. A total of 40 hectares of land used to make Avontuur’s wines will be replaced due to infection. DGB will also take over the wine production facilities and cellar door. Tim Hutchinson, chairman of DGB South Africa, revealed that the company plans to introduce “a completely new portfolio and new packaging” for launch later this year. DGB will also introduce “one ultra-premium wine in the top tier called The Taberer, a tribute to the late Tony Taberer,” he said. Further investments This investments follows the news from October 2023 of DGB’s significant investment in six vineyard properties in the Helderberg Mountain region of Stellenbosch, spanning 136ha. These investments are in line with DGB’s long term strategy to invest in prime vineyard terroir within South Africa to support the growth of its premium portfolio of wines. The latest acquisition will assist in this goal. Andrew Harris, marketing director at DGB, said of the land: “Avontuur Estate’s terroir, on the Helderberg, and position, along the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, is recognised as one of the most sought after in the Western Cape.”
This Article was originally published on The Drink Business - Wine