Stonehill Wines, Company

Stonehill vineyard is situated at the head of Devon Valley with sweeping views from Simonsberg across to False Bay. Owner, Lorna Hughes planted cabernet sauvignon on the property in 1992. Until very recently she supplied her grapes to a number of wineries in the Stellenbosch area who made award winning wines from them. Eventually she teamed up with talented winemaker Mark Carmichael Green & they produced Bristle Red which was an instant success. From the 2006 vintage a dry Cabernet Sauvignon Rose was made which has developed an almost cult-like following. Stonehill labels carry a picture of Bristle, found dumped in a rubbish bin as a young pup & nursed back to health by Lorna. Now her constant companion & considered by locals to be Lorna’s manager. Bristle is a mutt: a scruffy, pint-sized, wire-hairaed terrier-type dog – and is also Lorna Hughes’ most devoted companion. Probably because Lorna rescued the flea-ridden pup from a rubbish bin when only a few weeks old and nurtured her back to health. “Attitude on four legs” is often how this feisty canine is described by Dave Hughes, Lorna’s husband and world-renowned wine judge and writer. Bristle also provided the inspiration for the launch of Lorna Hughes’ own wine brand Stonehill wines. Stonehill takes its name from the two hectare Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard situated at the head of Stellenbosch’s Devon Valley. It boasts commanding views of the valley, taking in stunning vistas of the Simonsberg, Stellenbosch mountain and Helderberg – all the way to False Bay in the south. The 2006 vintage saw Lorna and Mark vinify her own Cabernet Sauvignon, which had for so long been supplied to other award-winning wineries in Stellenbosch, in two styles – one a red and the other a dry rosé. But there was also a need for a home for Stonehill wines, and Lorna built on an addition to the old winery to serve as sales and tasting facility. This is now open for business. Taking pride of place – in etched form – on the sandblasted French doors is Bristle, complete with ever-present vine cutting in mouth! This image is mirrored on Stonehill wines’ label, all of which are available from the tasting room.