Hidden Valley

Devon Valley,  South Africa

Hidden Farms, located in Devon Valley, was purchased by Dave Hidden in 1995. It is comprised of two properties, 23 hectares in Devon Valley and 28 hectares on the Helderberg. Devon Valley, west of Stellenbosch, is little known secret of the Cape Winelands. Vines have been grown here since the 18th century and the grapes have long been among the most sought after. Today, thanks to scores of prestigious awards, It is rapidly becoming recognized as one of the world’s premium red wine sites thanks to the scores of awards the wines it produces have garnered.

Dave and Marguerite Hidden run a biologically-tuned vineyard, with no plastic covers, but natural mulch, for example. And they work with the bugs, not against them and only a few minimalist sulphur sprays. Their Devon Valley farm supplies grapes from 35-year old pinotage vines while their Helderberg farm is all strictly organic. They aim to set a new green standard and propel SA to the forefront in the field. Thus far, their wines are confined to pinotage and cabernet.

Grangehurst Winery, for the time being, is the home of Hidden Valley Wines with long time friend Jeremy Walker as winemaker. Dave and Jeremy have teamed up to created the highly acclaimed Hidden Valley vintages. Their aim is to make limited quantities of traditionally crafted wines from the best fruit; full bodied yet readily drinkable. Their wines reflect both varietal characteristics and the skill of the winemaker's passion.

The 1997 Hidden Valley Pinotage was a combined effort from Guy Webber at Devon Hill Winery (now at Stellenzicht) and Jeremy Walker. Each winemaker made 50% of the quantity, resulting in a blended wine that captured the gold medal at the UK Wine Magazine prestigious International Wine Challenge, an ABSA Top 10 Pinotage Competition finalist, and a WINE 5 star accolade. Their 1999 Pinotage was a 2000 ABSA Top 10 Pinotage wine winner.

Several Hidden Valley vintages have been highly acclaimed both locally and overseas, with ABSA Pinotage Top Ten rankings for three consecutive years, a gold medal at the UK Wine Magazine's prestigious International Wine Challenge in London, and huge recognition by some of the world's top wine experts.