Slaley Wines

Greater Simonsberg estate named for a Northumberland village

Slaley occupies the western slopes of the Simonsberg inside Stellenbosch’s Greater Simonsberg ward—terrain long prized for structured red wines. Rich mountain soils, a temperate mesoclimate and cooling ocean influence meet at the farm’s rolling vineyards. The cellar door sits practically on the tourist map: corner of the R44 and Kromme Rhee Road, Koelenhof, a straightforward stop between Stellenbosch and the northern suburban approaches from Cape Town.

The name is a deliberate transplant of English memory. It honours the village of Slaley and Slaley Hall in Northumberland—the childhood landscape of founder Martin Hunting—rather than an Afrikaans farm nickname.

Hunting family history

• 1952 — After military service with the Royal Engineers in Kenya, 22-year-old Martin Hunting set his sights on the Cape, educated himself in viticulture and enrolled at Elsenburg Landbou Kollege despite speaking no Afrikaans, graduating cum laude
• 1955 — He purchased a nearby farm then called Simonsig and renamed it Slaley after home
• Early 1990s — Management passed to son Lindsay Hunting, who built the wine cellar; first wines under the Slaley label appeared in the late 1990s after years of grape supply to other producers
• Lindsay ran the farm for more than two decades before inviting the next generation forward; he remains part of farm life (tasting, odd jobs, the practical theatre of a working estate)
• Deeper family lore reaches to 1874, when Charles Hunting bought cargo ships and established offices on Newcastle’s Quayside; the business later evolved into the listed Hunting PLC. Slaley commissioned twelve ship paintings of known voyages; they hang in the bistro and inspire Slaley Range labels

Broken Stone origin

While clearing bush on a boundary in 1955, Martin uncovered a stone inscribed “WCG 1751.” Consultation with Stellenbosch University suggested CG for owner Christoffel Groenewald and W for Weduwee (widow)—likely added later, in a different hand, by his wife Anna, who owned and managed the farm after his death. The agricultural place itself traces to the early eighteenth century; the 1751 date is read as the stone’s erection mark. Further stones—intact, defaced, broken—surfaced over time and inspired the Broken Stone label. Surviving stones are laid out in gardens at the bistro, cellar and tasting room, giving visitors a literal archaeology of the brand story.

Wines and style

Slaley positions itself around classically styled wines made to age. Older estate notes describe long fermentations at relatively high temperatures and French-oak maturation for many reds, with Shiraz sometimes treated as a stylistic exception. The focus remains quality red wine, with limited Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc plus olive oil:

• Slaley Range — ship-label narrative tied to Hunting maritime heritage
• Broken Stone Range — red, white and rosé expressions inspired by the boundary stones
• Cultivars commonly listed across guides: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

A standard published flight has included three Broken Stone wines (red, white, rosé) and two Slaley Range wines. Tasting fees are not always listed publicly—phone or email for the current tariff before you arrive.

Hospitality on the farm

• Wine tasting — the estate states it is open for tastings; some official copy has said no pre-booking is required for the standard flight (still contact the farm for groups)
• Bistro — panoramic valley views and the ship-painting gallery that doubles as brand storytelling
• Slaley Country House — selective guest accommodation on a private farmstead section (historically described with around seven individually decorated rooms, gardens, tennis court and pool house)
• Weddings, birthday parties, corporate functions and other events; some third-party listings mention mountain biking or social Sunday programming—verify live activity calendars
• The R44 / Kromme Rhee precinct also hosts neighbouring cellar-door activity, making Koelenhof efficient for multi-brand days

Visiting Slaley

• Address: R44 & Kromme Rhee Road, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch, 7605
• Phone: +27 21 865 2123
• Email: info@slaley.co.za
• Website: slaley.co.za

Opening hours are inconsistently published across third-party guides. Some list weekday windows near 10:00–17:00; others suggest broader days. Treat non-official hours as unverified and call the estate before travelling. Visitor notes on some sites discourage pets inside the tasting room—ask if you are travelling with animals.

Greater Simonsberg itinerary fit

Use Slaley as a Simonsberg red-wine waypoint on the R44: taste Broken Stone and Slaley Range side by side, lunch in the bistro under ship paintings and valley light, then continue along Greater Simonsberg or return toward Stellenbosch. Overnight at Country House if you want a quiet farm evening without town noise. The ward’s reputation for Cabernet-family structure makes Slaley a natural companion to other mountain-slope red specialists.

Visit tips

• Call for fees, hours, group limits and kitchen status—official pages can be sparse
• Ask staff to point out the Broken Stone garden display; it anchors the brand mythos
• Red drinkers should request Cabernet, Pinotage or Shiraz detail if verticals or library bottles exist
• Book Country House independently of tasting if you plan to stay
• Combine with other Koelenhof / R44 stops to maximise the drive
• Confirm wedding or function availability many months ahead in peak season
• Bring a light layer—Simonsberg afternoons can shift quickly from warm slope to breeze

FAQ

Why list Slaley under Greater Simonsberg?

The vineyards sit on the western Simonsberg slopes, inside the Greater Simonsberg Stellenbosch ward known for serious red wines.

Who owns Slaley?

The Hunting family since 1955, now transitioning into third-generation stewardship while honouring Martin and Lindsay’s foundations.

Do I need a booking?

Official tasting messaging has indicated no pre-booking for the standard flight; still contact the estate for groups, meals, events and accommodation.