Eikendal was founded in 1981 by B.M. Saager founded. Since its inception, the company has been managed by the Saager family from Switzerland. Eikendal is situated only 10 minutes outside of Stellenbosch at the foothills of the Helderberg Mountains. The nearby Atlantic provides cooling sea breezes, the ideal slope and the granite-rich sandy and loamy soil (Terroir) guarantee excellent cultivation conditions. The farm has a size of 70ha, of which about 50ha are under vines. 70% of the vineyards are red wine cultivars. The grape varieties are: Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinotage, Grenache and Mourvèdre. The vineyards are between 6 and 30 years old and were planted in an east-west row direction. 30% are white wine grapes. On the farm only Chardonnay is planted. The vineyards were planted in “Koffieklip” (“Coffee Stone”) soil with a clay layer 1m deep. Some spots have decomposed granite soils. The Sauvignon Blanc comes from Elgin - known as 'cool climate' region, located about 300m above sea level. The average harvest volume is about 250t to 300t. This corresponds to a quantity of approx. 250'000 bottles. The white wines ferment in 5'000L to 10'000L steel tanks. Latest fermentation techniques are applied, be it in egg-shaped plastic or concrete tanks. The red wines are ageing in tailor-made French oak barriques, 275L to 500L barrels, between 12 and 24 months. 65% of the red wines age in 2nd and 3rd filling barrels, 35% in 'new' Burgundian Pierre du Bourgogne oak barrels. Sufficient organic substances, minerals in the soil and subtle use of wood (barriques) develop fruity and fresh but also multi-faceted and smooth wines with a lot of finesse and elegance.