De Trafford Wines

17/10/2026

The best part of the Cape W**emakers Guild Auction. Getting our w**es to our customers.
Thanks so much for everyone bidding on the Auction and congratulations to those who bid for our w**es. We hope you and your customers enjoy these special w**es over several years.
De Trafford CWG Chenin Blanc L17 2025
De Trafford CWG Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

30/09/2026

A big reminder that it’s the Cape W**emakers Guild Auction this Friday and Saturday and we have two w**es on the Auction this year. The exceptional De Trafford CWG Chenin Blanc L17 2025 from a very low yielding 39 year old vineyard in the cool Firgrove area, Stellenbosch.
First Day Lots: 260 - 263
Second Day Lots: 557 - 561
We have been producing Cabernet Sauvignon from the famed slopes of the Helderberg since 1992 and we’re proud to present the very youthful, stunning De Trafford CWG Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 from our Elevation 393 vineyard.
First Day Lots: 40 - 44
Second Day Lots: 331 - 335
To bid on these exceptional w**es, there is a link to the Strauss and Co Auction website in the bio.
Cape W**emakers Guild Strauss & Co Auctioneers David Trafford **emakersguild

27/09/2026

David Trafford thoroughly enjoyed running the 8km Blouklip Trail Run with yesterday. Much more difficult than it sounds with stunning trails through mountain fynbos and the beautiful vineyards of Keermont Vineyards and Waterford Estate Thanks Alfred and team of Runventures for organising another awesome event and the other w**eries in our beautiful valley. Dornier W**e Estate | Stellenbosch Stellenzicht W**es Kleinood Farm

14/09/2026

It was great to meet Jason Millar on Saturday and spend some time tasting through a few vintages of our Sijnn W**ery and De Trafford w**es. Jason is a respected w**e writer and judge from the U.K. and it was great to get his feedback on our w**es and an interesting discussion about w**e critics, the general w**e market and quality and style perceptions.
Thanks for your enthusiasm for South African w**e and thanks for taking the long road up to De Trafford and sharing your time and thoughts.

03/09/2026

We’re delighted to see our w**es receiving some wonderful recognition recently.

For us, the real reward is seeing the work in the vineyard and cellar reflected in the glass — vintage after vintage.

🍷 De Trafford Belfield 2023 | Elgin | 95 points

🍷 De Trafford Straw W**e 2022| Cape Coast | 95 points

🍷 De Trafford Blueprint Syrah 2023 | Stellenbosch | 94 points

🍷 De Trafford CWG Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 | Stellenbosch | 94 points

🍷 De Trafford CWG L17 Chenin Blanc 2025 | Stellenbosch | 94 points

🍷 De Trafford Elevation 393 2020 | Stellenbosch | 94 points

🍷 De Trafford Merlot 2022 | Stellenbosch | 94 points

🍷 De Trafford Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 | Stellenbosch | 93 points

🍷 De Trafford Chenin Blanc 2025 | Stellenbosch | 93 points

We’re proud of the consistency across the range, but perhaps even more proud that these w**es continue to express where they come from and how we believe w**e should be made.

A big thank you to everyone who continues to support De Trafford — and to those who take the time to taste, share and recognise the w**es.

31/08/2026

29/08/2026

We finished pruning on Tuesday 25 August, but the team left me a few vines to try and explain the difference between the cane pruning system for our Chenin Blanc and the more common spur pruning with a permanent cordon arm we use here in our Cabernet Sauvignon block. The advantage of the spur pruning is that it’s easier and quicker but the increased pruning wounds tend to reduce the life of the plant and there is a lot more suckering needed during the busy growing season. Removing unwanted shoots growing out of the permanent cordon, spurs and trunk. So in our situation 1m cordon, 0,8m for the spurs and 0,7m for the trunk. So 2,5m per vine x 5000 vines / hectare. So, 10 250m need to be suckered compared to 3 500m if it was cane pruned.
Always a nice milestone to finish the pruning and important to prune each variety at the right time for optimum even bud break and get the season off to a positive start. A very early start due to the early start to winter and a dry warm mid to late winter.

29/08/2026

We finished pruning on Tuesday 25 August, but the team left me a few vines to try and explain the difference between the cane pruning system for our Chenin Blanc (image 2) and the more common spur pruning with a permanent cordon arm we use here in our Cabernet Sauvignon block. The advantage of the spur pruning is that it’s easier and quicker but the increased pruning wounds tend to reduce the life of the plant and there is a lot more suckering needed during the busy growing season. Removing unwanted shoots growing out of the permanent cordon, spurs and trunk. So in our situation 1m cordon, 0,8m for the spurs and 0,7m for the trunk. So 2,5m per vine x 5000 vines / hectare. So, 10 250m need to be suckered compared to 3 500m if it was cane pruned.
Always a nice milestone to finish the pruning and important to prune each variety at the right time for optimum even bud break and get the season off to a positive start. A very early start due to the early start to winter and a dry warm mid to late winter.