History tells us our best endeavours are born from adversity. Shakespeare wrote about the tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune – and the Taberer family has been riding that tide since 1862. 

What began as humble missionaries arriving in Africa has grown into a legacy of pioneering leadership in farming and winemaking. For generations, the Taberers have held fast to their values, their reverence for fine wines and fast horses, and their pursuit of excellence. This year marks a remarkable milestone: 201 years of Avontuur and 41 years of dedicated winemaking. 

Where ancient soils meet ocean breezes
Winemaking is both a microcosm of our complex universe and an escape from it – a place where dreams of perfect balance between skill, good fortune, and serendipity come alive. The Avontuur terroir reads like a geological love letter written across millennia. 

This timeless 110-hectare property sprawls across the weathered slopes of the Helderberg, where granite, shale and sandstone layers tell stories thousands of years in the making. These ancient foundations are tempered by the cool, relentless Atlantic breezes that sweep in from False Bay with clockwork regularity. 

At a time when fashion often trumps all else in the world of wine, provenance and sense of place remain the ultimate markers of quality. Avontuur’s wines display the distinctive depth and minerality that only comes from this unique patch of South African soil – wines that tell the story of the land itself. 

Crafting stories in glass
Some soils may be capable of writing more compelling wine stories than most humans can pen, but winemaker Dominique Modean knows there’s far more to the craft than what appears on a blending board. The remarkable has the power to transport us to extraordinary places, and Avontuur reserves itself for nothing less than the exceptional. 

Dominique has crafted a collection that invites exploration beyond the ordinary. The West Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, Stone Field Syrah, and Disa Gorge Chardonnay take you on an adventure through this ancient geological tapestry, each revealing distinctive brightness and character that might even make the Sphinx blink. 

These wines join the celebrated Val de Ra and Luna de Miel – names that evoke memories of champions leading from the front, kicking for home in the final furlong while the rest of the field struggles to respond. They’re wines that capture that special mixture of relief and satisfaction that comes with achieving something truly exceptional. 

The taste of perseverance
What you taste in every bottle is the story of a family who stood tall, shoulders square, facing whatever challenges came their way in pursuit of something extraordinary that would endure for generations. 

This is Avontuur. This is the Helderberg. This is the taste of a land that dares you to seek the extraordinary. 

Avontuur is a sponsor of the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards, happening on 23 March 2026. Stay tuned to Eat Out platforms for all the latest updates.