SOUTH AFRICA
Axe Hill
Axe Hill was founded by the late Tony Mossop and his wife Lyn, at a remote site outside Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo. The first vineyards were planted in 1993 with Portuguese varietals; Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca and Souzão.
Calitzdorp is known for its relatively harsh climate. Summers are very hot during the day, mainly a dry heat, up to 105°F. Wind from the sea every afternoon allows for moderate, cool evenings. Winters have sunny days, very cold nights with occasional frost and snow often falling on the surrounding Swartberg Mountain Range. Rainfall is approximately 200mm per year, often with the changing of seasons. Prevailing winds are mainly from the south in summer and hot wind from the North in August.
Calitzdorp is the renown center for fortified wine in South Africa, it is often referred to as the 'Port Capital of South Africa' and is located along the R 62 wine route.
Axe Hill's name originates from the stone hand tools found on the farm and used by pre-historic man over a quarter of a million years ago.
Axe Hill's Cape Vintage Port maiden vintage is 1997.
Mike Neebe is now the winemaker and a partner at Axe Hill.