Bellingham: Since 1693, Pioneers of Excellence in the Western Cape

Cape Best is the official Italian importer for Bellingham, one of South Africa's most iconic and historically significant estates. Its story began in 1693 when the Dutchman Gerrit Janz van Vuuren and his wife planted the first 1000 vines in Bellinchamp ("beautiful fields"). But it was in 1943, with the acquisition by Bernard and Fredagh Podlashuk, that Bellingham became the innovation laboratory we know today.

A history of global "firsts"

After years of research in French and German terroirs, the Podlashuks introduced innovations that placed South Africa on the geographical maps of quality wine:

• 1949: launch of the first Rosé wine from the Western Cape.
• 1951: creation of the Premier Grand Cru.
• 1956: production of South Africa's first single-varietal Shiraz.

The philosophy: respect for the "Sense of Place"

Today, Bellingham merges historical ingenuity with a contemporary vision. The production philosophy places vineyard work at its core:

• Rigorous selection: the winery's experts seek only the finest grapes in the Western Cape to preserve the natural identity of each individual grape variety.
• Old Vine Project: Bellingham is a proud member of the OVP, the organization that protects and documents South Africa's historic vineyards (Old Vines), guaranteeing wines of unparalleled depth and longevity.

The premium lines chosen by Cape Best

Our selection highlights The Bernard Series, the premium artisanal range dedicated to co-founder Bernard Podlashuk. This line embodies his unconventional and bold spirit, offering structured and complex wines that represent the stylistic pinnacle of the winery.

Choosing Bellingham means tasting South African wines that are, at the same time, custodians of a centuries-old tradition and protagonists of the 21st century.