TOKARA is a picture perfect destination which offers visitors a unique combination of award-winning wines, brandy and olive oils, a gallery of fine art, a restaurant featuring one of South Africa’s leading chefs as well as a delicatessen.
The winery, on the R310 outside Stellenbosch, is nestled among vineyards and olive groves on the crest of the Helshoogte Pass with sweeping views across False Bay and all the way to Table Mountain.
TOKARA prides itself on making wines that are site specific. Even though vineyards were initially planted on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain at the Stellenbosch property, two other farms, Highlands in the Elgin district and Siberia in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus, were additionally acquired. In doing so TOKARA is able to produce wines which express the distinct characteristics of these three prime wine producing regions.
The TOKARA farm was purchased in 1994 by GT Ferreira for residential purposes, but it wasn’t long before the great potential for planting vineyards was recognised and explored. Classic varietals were planted on the 400m above sea-level slopes. The cool air and low temperatures contribute to the excellent quality of TOKARA Wines.
The winery building’s industrial nature is softened by uncomplicated architecture and design. A composition of simple, natural materials and clean, strong lines characterize the structure, offering clarity of form within a breathtaking environment.
The wine production and marketing facility was designed to reflect the character of the wines themselves – innovative and distinctive. Spaces interact efficiently, with practicality being a core element. The winery’s operational layout incorporates cutting-edge technologies and computerised control systems to ensure all TOKARA wines meet the necessary standards of excellence.