Across 157 hectares of land on the highest slopes of the Simonsberg Mtns, ranging from 370 to 640 metres above sea on mainly south-facing slopes, lies Thelema, one of the highest, coolest and certainly most sought-after wine farms in the Cape.
Gyles Webb is one of the people who has done his darnedest to accelerate South Africa’s promotion into the top leagues of the wine world. Thelema was established by Gyles and Barbara Webb in 1983 when, with the backing of Barbara’s parents, they purchased the 62 hectare Thelema farm. A winery was completed five years later, and almost immediately, his wines were among the best the country had to offer. Gyles was influenced in his wine–making by visits to Tuscany, Bordeaux and California.
Gyles Webb is the heartbeat of Thelema. Saved from a life in accountancy by deciding to put down roots on the mountain and produce great wine, Gyles is now ably assisted by Rudi Schultz in winemaking and son Thomas in all Export markets, particularly the UK. Winemaking is as natural as possible with minimal handling – a policy which they charmingly describe as “benign neglect”.