Axe Hill

Axe Hill Situated in Calitzdorp, Klein Karoo - synonymous with Cape Vintage Port! Calitzdorp is a viticulture area situated in the Klein Karoo Wine Region.

Good idea to call ahead - we are a small team (Mike & Pam), and always promise personal service! Proprietor: Axe Hill Winery (Pty) Ltd

General Manager & Winemaker: Mike Neebe

Viticulturist: Mike Neebe

Area under vines: 1.3 ha

Production: 6 to 9 tons

Brands: Axe Hill

Wines: Port: Cape Vintage Port, Cape White Port, Cape Ruby Port, Cape Late Bottled Vintage Port, Dry Reds – Machado, Distinta &

Shiraz

Axe Hill was started by the late Tony Mossop and wife Lyn, at a remote site on the outskirts of Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo during 1993. The area is acclaimed for its fortified wines and Calitzdorp is known as “the Port Capital of South Africa”. The unique micro-climate prevalent in the region is typically characterised by dry, arid conditions which add to the overall concentration of Portuguese varietals planted on the farm which include Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional, Souzão and recently Tinto Roriz (aka Tempranillo). The name of the vineyard originates from the stone age hand tools found on the farm. Only one vintage is made each year from a blend of the Portuguese varieties. The wine is matured in old French oak barrels after hand sorting and foot crushing and fermentation in lagares for maximum extraction of both flavour and colour. This method closely resembles traditional Portuguese port wine making techniques which have been in use for centuries. A dry, White Port, is also produced. Chenin Blanc grapes are used in this drier style, fortified wine. The wine is barrel-aged by the fractional blending of old to young wine so that each bottling is a fusion of ages, with the average age gradually increasing over the years. Axe Hill Cape White has its origins with the first vintage in 2003 and will continue to grow in complexity with future releases. The cellar also produces a range of table wines using the available varieties. These include Machado (meaning Axe in Portuguese), Distinta (means different or distinctive), both unique blends with variations on the Portuguese theme but with different barrel regimes. Barrel fermented white wines; Viognier and Chenin Blanc!

We'll be crossing the snow-kissed Swartberg mountain to get to PA this weekend! We will pack some dark red juice to coun...
10/08/2026

We'll be crossing the snow-kissed Swartberg mountain to get to PA this weekend! We will pack some dark red juice to counter the cold! Look forward to seeing you there!

As a small cellar, we are sometimes confronted by seemingly big problems... Nothing like teamwork & workaround solutions...
05/08/2026

As a small cellar, we are sometimes confronted by seemingly big problems... Nothing like teamwork & workaround solutions! A forklift is not on the agenda nevermind capex budgets!

to Looking forward to this special destination, nestled at the foot of the Riviersonderend Catchment! An ever so c...
11/07/2026


to



Looking forward to this special destination, nestled at the foot of the Riviersonderend Catchment! An ever so cool village & perfect wine getaway.

PS we'll bring the port...and some other yummy bottles!

From At This weekend! See you there!
23/06/2026


From

At

This weekend! See you there!

Sometimes we do well to recall an earlier time. Axe Hill Cape White Port - in a new guise - tucked away in old barrels f...
19/06/2026

Sometimes we do well to recall an earlier time. Axe Hill Cape White Port - in a new guise - tucked away in old barrels for many years. A sneak preview here..



Thanks for a lekker weekend! To our guests for the visits & support, and organiser people and on the ground doers!...
14/06/2026





Thanks for a lekker weekend!

To our guests for the visits & support, and organiser people and on the ground doers!

Cheers julle almal!

Some end of day pics and of Kourse a Kommin Klein Karoo binnebraai to round it off!

Random prizes for our lucky guests! Perfect weather for a Cape Ruby port!
14/06/2026





Random prizes for our lucky guests! Perfect weather for a Cape Ruby port!

Early morning blanket on the Wesoewer!! Fat Old Sun will be peering out of the gloom soon soon!! See you on our de...
14/06/2026





Early morning blanket on the Wesoewer!! Fat Old Sun will be peering out of the gloom soon soon!! See you on our deck in a bit!

10/06/2026
08/06/2026





In the "old" days, our annual village party was known as Portfees! Well, nowadays a part of that word is an unmentionable unless the vinous creation in the bottle comes from Oporto or the Douro! So, we now celebrate our town's wine & viticulture heritage as the Calitzdorp Expressed! And yes we make some CAPE styles of Portuguese Port......, in the same way, using the same kinds of grapes and with the same dedication. But in the Cape and particularly here in Calitzdorp!

Coming up this weekend, we will be opening our cellar doors, to entice visitors to come see & taste what we have been up to!

But more on that to come! In the meantime, we thought we'd show you a clip of the impact of the recent blessed rain (and stormy weather) on our road AND to assure you that we will be open!

While we can't cross the Nel's river to visit our neighbours on the Spekboom side of our valley for now, our Wesoewer Road is definitely open to get to our cellar. With direct access from Route 62, just head West on the R62 from the village and just across the bridge, turn right. You will find us on the right-hand side, 2 km up the Wesoewer Road!

See you!

Address

Wesoewer
Calitzdorp
6660

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11:00 - 17:00
Thursday 11:00 - 17:00
Friday 11:00 - 17:00
Saturday 11:00 - 14:00
Sunday 11:00 - 00:00

Telephone

+27836763000

Website

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