It is almost WAM again; not too long now, and Henley will be thinking about all things wine, art, and music. So it is only right that we talk about our very own Henley Wines.
Introducing Gunter Lander, who started and still runs his very own boutique winery in Henley on Klip: Henley Wines.
I’ve wanted to stop by the winery for years. With the previous two WAMs, I always went over to his table to say hi and taste his wine.
Gunter Lander kindly took me on a guided tour. We talked about how he makes his wines, starting with 800 kilograms of grapes bought from the Cape Winelands. He alternates every year with cultivars and wine types; he said he’s tried experimenting with blends but likes to keep to one grape.
He showed me around his winery, fully equipped with a de-stalker, enormous plastic buckets for fermenting, a gorgeous press, and beautiful steel containers. As I was going around, he was in the process of fermenting his latest batch; the process was already well on its way to its second fermentation.
He prefers to age his wines for two years before letting people taste them; he ages them in oak barrels, as seen in the photos. He bottles the wine himself; he showed me his plastic caps, and I took one of the red ones as a souvenir. He also has corks and bottles that he still wax seals himself. These were easily my favourites on aesthetics alone.
Speaking with Gunter about wine was incredible; his knowledge not only of making wine but of the industry in South Africa and general practices is extensive. We chatted about big wineries, wine farming in the Cape, and exporting practices. The conversation, for a fledgling wine enthusiast, was enlightening and easy.
His interest in and subsequent creation of wine was a lifelong journey, bringing him to Blue Saddles, where he planted his first proper vineyard. He made his first wine in 2012 and was happy to report that a friend had held a bottle until this year, when he got to enjoy it over dinner, and that it was still pretty good.
He planted a vineyard in Henley as well, on Marlowe Street. I am sure some of our readers will remember seeing the vineyard, because I sure do. It was one of the first sights that made me fall in love with Henley on Klip. Unfortunately, it is not easy to grow grapes here. He said it was a lot better in Blue Saddles, and after a few years, he sold the property.
So, how does it taste? Well, to try it yourself, find him at WAM on August 31 and September 1; he will have a table there. Or to learn more about the winery, give him a call here. I do recommend it, though, as the Syraz is absolutely delicious. I will definitely be going to his stand at the wine festival.
Henley Wines is a beautiful and iconic snapshot of Henley, the freedom and space to pursue your interests and enjoy them with friends and like-minded people.
I am excited to reach out to hobbyists; whether they make wine, quilts, or crochet, there is plenty going on in Henley, and I hope to share with them. If you are a hobbyist or enthusiast crafter, let me know at editor@henley-herald.co.za.

Book your ticket for WAM here: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/262316-henley-wam-festival-wine-art-music-2024/#/