In the shadow of Franschhoek’s Mont Rochelle mountains, a century-old tractor stands sentinel at Backsberg’s new cellar door – a fitting emblem for a winery that has masterfully bridged past and future since 1916. Today, this pioneering icon marks another milestone as South Africa’s first verified carbon-neutral winery, cementing its position at the forefront of sustainable winemaking. 

The Back family’s story began with Charles Louis Back, who arrived in Cape Town as a penniless Lithuanian refugee in 1902. Through four generations of innovation, Backsberg has consistently broken new ground – from introducing South Africa’s first contoured vineyard to smuggling in the country’s first Chardonnay vines. Now in its fifth generation, the winery continues this legacy of thoughtful progression. 

“Each vintage tells a story of place and purpose,” notes winemaker Alicia Rechner, who has guided the helm since 2002. This philosophy shines through in Backsberg’s Family Tree range, where two wines in particular exemplify Backsberg’s blend of heritage and sustainability: The Smuggled Vines Chardonnay and The Pumphouse Shiraz.  

The great smuggle lives on
The Smuggled Vines Chardonnay traces its roots to 1976 when Michael and Sydney Back daringly transported Chardonnay cuttings from Europe in a leather briefcase. That bold move led to the establishment of approximately 60 000 Chardonnay vines and set the stage for Backsberg to produce South Africa’s first varietal Chardonnay in the 1980 vintage.

Today’s expression, grown at one of Franschhoek’s highest elevations, captures morning fog and cool Atlantic breezes in every bottle. Nurtured in stony clay-rich Greywacke soils and undergoing cool fermentation in stainless steel before barrel ageing with regular bâtonnage, this elegant Chardonnay offers notes of honeyed apple, cashew, and butterscotch, balanced by vibrant acidity and chalky minerality. This wine pairs effortlessly with local seafood, creamy pasta dishes, and artisanal cheeses. 

 

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A powerhouse wine 
The Pumphouse Shiraz pays tribute to the humble concrete structures, or water pump houses, that once dotted the mountain slopes, providing vital irrigation to the vines below. This connection to water stewardship continues in modern viticultural practices, where carefully managed drip irrigation nurtures vines in the weathered granite soils of Paarl and Stellenbosch. Hand-picked and whole-crushed, the grapes ferment at cool temperatures before ageing for 14 months in predominantly French oak, with 10% American oak adding subtle vanilla and coconut notes. With layers of old spice, cedar, ripe plum, black cherry, mulberry, and spiced fruit cake, this is a powerhouse wine perfect for hearty stews and rich roasts. 

Sip sustainably
Backsberg’s commitment to sustainability extends far beyond the cellar. The winery partners with projects like the Kuyasa low-carbon housing development in Khayelitsha and the Stellenbosch Community Recycling Project a little closer to home. These initiatives balance environmental impact with social development, creating a holistic approach to sustainability. 

The new Franschhoek cellar door embodies this ethos, featuring repurposed barrels transformed into lighting fixtures and vintage equipment displayed as art pieces. Here, visitors can taste wines while overlooking the mountains, accompanied by thoughtfully curated, sustainable food pairings. 

In collaboration with the WCellar Sommelier Team, Backsberg’s Smuggled Vines Chardonnay and Pumphouse Shiraz are now available at selected Woolworths stores and online.

Backsberg is a member of DGB, the official wine sponsor for the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards, happening on 31 March 2025. Stay tuned to Eat Out platforms for all the latest updates.