Fairview Wine and Cheese

Fairview Wine and Cheese is a wine estate and cheesemaking business in the Paarl region of South Africa’s Western Cape. The property lies on the southwestern slopes of the Paarl Mountain range, about 60 kilometres from Cape Town, and extends across approximately 320 hectares, including around 120 hectares of vineyards. Its combination of wine production, specialty cheesemaking, farm retail, tastings, and food service has made it a prominent destination in the Cape Winelands. The property was designated as a farm in 1693 under Governor Simon van der Stel, with Steven Vervey recorded as its first official owner. It was originally known as Bloemkoolfontein, a name associated with the mixed agricultural activity historically carried out there, and was later renamed Fairview. Wine production on the property is recorded from 1699, although the modern Fairview wine brand emerged much later. The Back family acquired the farm in 1937, when Charles Back purchased it from Mr Hugo. After Charles Back’s death in 1955, Fairview passed to his son Cyril Back. Cyril replanted much of the vineyard and introduced varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinotage. In 1974 he separated Fairview from the KWV-controlled cooperative system and began bottling wines independently under the Fairview Estate label. The first estate-bottled wines included Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinotage. In 1975 he organized a public auction of Fairview’s complete production, an early example of direct and public wine marketing in South Africa. His son Charles joined the business in 1978 after studying winemaking at Elsenburg Agricultural College and later became responsible for the estate’s development. Fairview expanded beyond traditional local wine styles during the 1980s. Charles Back introduced additional grape varieties and experimented with winemaking methods, including a carbonic-maceration Gamay made in a Beaujolais nouveau style in 1987. The business also developed a strong tourism proposition, with public cellar-door sales, tastings, and a distinctive goat tower. These initiatives helped position the estate as both a producer and a visitor attraction. Cheesemaking began in 1980 after Cyril Back acquired Saanen goats and worked with Michele Agostinelli to establish the Fairview Vineyard Cheesery. Goat’s-milk cheese was then relatively unfamiliar in South Africa. Jersey cow’s milk was added in 1995, broadening the range to include cow’s-milk and mixed-milk cheeses. The cheesery subsequently developed more than twenty permanent lines across categories such as blue-mould, white-mould, and cream cheeses. Fairview’s goat herd was described in reference material as Africa’s largest commercial goat herd in 2008, with approximately 750 milking does at that time. The estate produces a broad portfolio of red and white wines. Red wine accounts for approximately 70 percent of production, and grapes come from Fairview’s own vineyards as well as contracted growers. The Fairview label has historically produced about 50,000 cases of twelve bottles annually, with approximately 70 percent exported according to the cited reference material. In 2008 the business introduced La Capra, an endorsed label aimed at the retail and value segment. Fairview continues to combine wine and cheese production with tastings, an on-farm eatery, and international distribution.

The Fairview property was designated as a farm in 1693 during the administration of Cape Governor Simon van der Stel. Steven Vervey is identified as its first official owner and is believed to have been among the French Huguenots who arrived at the Cape in 1688. The property was initially called Bloemkoolfontein, or “cauliflower fountain,” reflecting its long history of mixed agriculture. By the end of the nineteenth century it had been officially renamed Fairview. Wine production is recorded on the property from 1699, and viticulture has remained a central activity ever since. The Back family’s association with the property began in 1937, when Charles Back purchased Fairview from Mr Hugo for £6,500. Charles Back, a Lithuanian immigrant who had arrived in South Africa in 1902, had first worked in Paarl as a butcher and farm-produce trader before moving into wine farming. He had acquired the future Backsberg property in 1916 and was recognized with the General Smuts Trophy for South Africa’s champion wine in 1926. After his death in 1955, Backsberg passed to his son Sydney and Fairview to his son Cyril. Cyril Back spent his early years at Fairview reorganizing and replanting the vineyards. The property had previously been dominated by Cinsault, but Cyril introduced Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinotage. His decision in 1974 to operate outside the KWV cooperative structure was a major turning point. Fairview began bottling wine independently under its own estate label, using grapes grown on the property. Its first independently bottled wines included Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinotage. In 1975 Cyril organized a public auction of Fairview’s complete production. The wine reportedly sold out in under three hours, making the event an important early example of direct producer-to-market activity in South African wine. Fairview also became one of the first farms in the country to offer cellar-door sales to the public. These steps helped establish the estate as both a wine producer and a visitor destination. Charles Back joined the business in 1978 after completing winemaking studies at Elsenburg Agricultural College. In 1981 he built Fairview’s goat tower, which became a recognizable feature of the estate. During the 1980s he diversified the wine portfolio, introduced white-wine varieties, and adopted experimental approaches. In 1987 Fairview made a Gamay using carbonic maceration in a Beaujolais nouveau style, described in the reference material as South Africa’s first wine of that type. Charles also monitored international wine trends and adjusted Fairview’s style and quality during a period when Apartheid-era sanctions restricted access to many overseas markets. When South African markets reopened after the transition to democracy, Fairview was positioned to pursue international recognition. Cheesemaking began in 1980, when Cyril purchased a herd of Saanen goats. With assistance from Michele Agostinelli, Fairview established the Vineyard Cheesery and developed a small range of goat’s-milk cheeses. At the time, goat’s-milk cheese was not widely known in South Africa. Louis Lourens became head cheesemaker in 1992. Jersey milk was introduced in 1995, enabling Fairview to produce cow’s-milk and mixed-milk cheeses in addition to its goat’s-milk lines. Cyril Back died in 1995, after which Charles assumed full control of Fairview. Fairview’s wine and cheese businesses developed in parallel. The wine portfolio came to include numerous red and white varieties, with reds accounting for approximately 70 percent of production in the reference period. The cheesery expanded to more than twenty permanent lines, including blue-mould, white-mould, and cream cheeses. In 1997 Charles appointed Anthony de Jager as head winemaker. In 2008 Fairview launched the La Capra range for the retail and value segment. Reference material from the same period describes annual Fairview-label production at approximately 50,000 twelve-bottle cases, with about 70 percent exported, and identifies the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Sweden, and Germany as leading export markets. The contemporary Fairview proposition combines production with hospitality. Visitors can taste the estate’s wines and cheeses, and the farm includes an eatery in a converted wine cellar. Its location, goat tower, direct retail presence, and integrated wine-and-cheese offer have made it one of the better-known attractions in the Cape Winelands.

1. 2008La Capra launched

   Fairview introduced La Capra as an endorsed label aimed at retail and value-oriented consumers.

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2. 1997Anthony de Jager appointed head winemaker

   Charles Back appointed Anthony de Jager to lead Fairview’s winemaking.

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3. 1995Jersey milk added to cheesemaking

   Fairview introduced Jersey milk, enabling broader cow’s-milk and mixed-milk cheese production.

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4. 1995Charles Back assumes full control

   After Cyril Back’s death, Charles Back took full control of Fairview.

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5. 1992Louis Lourens becomes head cheesemaker

   Louis Lourens was appointed head cheesemaker as the cheesery expanded its specialist range.

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6. 1987Beaujolais nouveau-style Gamay introduced

   Fairview produced a Gamay using carbonic maceration in a Beaujolais nouveau style.

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7. 1981Goat tower constructed

   Charles Back built Fairview’s distinctive goat tower, which became part of the farm’s visitor identity.

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8. 1980Cheesemaking begins

   Cyril Back acquired Saanen goats and established the Vineyard Cheesery with Michele Agostinelli’s assistance.

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9. 1978Charles Back joins Fairview

   Charles Back joined the family business after completing winemaking studies at Elsenburg Agricultural College.

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10. 1975Public wine auction

    Fairview held a public auction of its entire production, which sold in under three hours according to the reference material.

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11. 1974Independent Fairview wine bottling begins

    Cyril Back left the KWV cooperative system and bottled the first wines under the Fairview Estate label.

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12. 1955Cyril Back takes over Fairview

    Following Charles Back’s death, Fairview passed to his son Cyril, who began extensive vineyard replanting and development.

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13. 1937The Back family acquires Fairview

    Charles Back purchased the Fairview farm from Mr Hugo for £6,500.

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14. 1699First recorded wine production

    The first recorded wine production on the property took place, beginning a continuous viticultural history.

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15. 1693Fairview property designated as a farm

    The property was designated as a farm under Cape Governor Simon van der Stel, with Steven Vervey recorded as its first official owner.

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A heritage Cape Winelands estate positioned around independent winemaking, artisanal cheesemaking, farm-based hospitality, and the distinctive pairing of wine with goat’s- and cow’s-milk cheeses.

• Fairview estate winesWine1974

  The core Fairview portfolio includes red and white wines made from estate-grown and contracted grapes. Listed varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Viognier, Semillon, Shiraz, Pinotage, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tannat, Petite Sirah, Carignan, and blended or sweet styles. Red wine has historically represented approximately 70 percent of production.

• Cyril BackFlagship wine

  Cyril Back is identified in the reference material as one of Fairview’s flagship wines. It represents the estate’s premium red-wine tradition and commemorates the family member who developed Fairview’s independent estate-bottling model and expanded its vineyards.

• La CapraWine range2008

  La Capra is an endorsed Fairview wine label introduced for the retail and value segment. It extends the business beyond its estate and premium positioning while retaining the association with Fairview’s broader wine portfolio.

• Fairview Vineyard CheeseryArtisanal cheese1980

  The cheesery produces a broad range of specialty cheeses using milk from Fairview’s goat herd and an exclusive Jersey cow herd. The range includes goat’s-milk, cow’s-milk, and mixed-milk products across blue-mould, white-mould, cream, and other artisanal styles.

• 2008Launch La CapraProduct launch

  Fairview sought to address the retail and value segment in addition to its established estate-wine positioning.

  What changed. The company launched La Capra as an endorsed Fairview wine range.

  Aftermath. La Capra broadened Fairview’s brand architecture and consumer reach.

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• 1987Develop a Beaujolais nouveau-style GamayProduct launch

  Charles Back monitored international wine styles and pursued techniques that could broaden Fairview’s portfolio.

  What changed. Fairview made a Gamay using traditional carbonic maceration.

  Aftermath. The product was described as South Africa’s first Beaujolais nouveau-style wine, demonstrating Fairview’s experimental approach.

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• 1980Enter artisanal cheesemakingProduct launch

  Fairview was primarily known as a wine farm, while goat’s-milk cheese had limited recognition in South Africa.

  What changed. Cyril Back acquired Saanen goats and established the Vineyard Cheesery with Michele Agostinelli.

  Aftermath. Cheese became a second major product category and a defining part of Fairview’s farm-visitor proposition.

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• 1974Leave the KWV cooperative structure and bottle independentlyStrategy

  South African wine production was subject to a strongly regulated cooperative system in which many grape growers supplied the KWV. Cyril Back sought to develop Fairview as an independent estate.

  What changed. Fairview began bottling wines under its own estate label from grapes grown on the property.

  Aftermath. The move established the modern Fairview wine brand and allowed the estate to control its own production and market presentation.

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• 2008Fairview introduces La Capra

  The business launched La Capra as an endorsed wine range directed toward retail and value-oriented consumers.

  Product launchPricing
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• 1975Fairview holds an early public wine auction

  Fairview held a public auction of its full production, which reportedly sold in less than three hours and preceded the Nederburg Auction by one year.

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• 1974Fairview begins bottling wine under its own estate label

  Cyril Back broke away from the KWV-controlled cooperative system and bottled Fairview wines independently from grapes grown on the property.

  Product launch
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1. Fairview Wine and Cheese
2. Fairview official website