Journey's End

Stellenbosch, South Africa

In 1995 the Gabb family, originally from Shropshire, UK, fell in love with this picturesque vineyard in the Stellenbosch winelands. Since then, they have been committed to sustainably and ethically producing excellent wines.

The team has always been wholly committed to being environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. As well as being WIETA and IPW accredited, Journey’s End converted to solar power in 2014 and the farm became fully Fairtrade certified from April 2017. In 2021, they attained WWF Conservation Champion status, for continued commitment to sustainable farming and conservation of native fauna and flora, and also achieved carbon negativity status. For two consecutive years (2020 & 2021), Journey’s End was named Ethical Company of the Year by The Drinks Business Green Awards, in recognition of Journey’s End Foundation’s work, which, since it began, aims to provide 1,000,000 meals to their local community each year. They also received the Water Management Award in 2021. 

The Journey’s End property is amongst the Schapenberg hills, beneath which lay 350 million year old decomposed granite soils. This creates one of the most prestigious terroirs in South Africa. As well as fantastic views, the vineyards benefit from the cooling and cleansing south-easterly wind, known locally as the ‘Cape Doctor’, which comes in from nearby False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Dynamic winemakers Leon Esterhuizen and Mike Dawson use progressive methods both in the cellar and in the vineyards. These include a minimal intervention philosophy, carbonic maceration, and fermentation and ageing in amphorae and concrete eggs, adding a complex layer to classically elegant wines.

WEITA = Wine and Agricultural Industry Ethical Trade Association: promotes ethical trade to ensure best practice working conditions
IPW = Integrated Production of Wine: the South African Wine Industry’s environmental sustainability guarantee