What is a church to do with an open field next to the rectory? Back in 2003, that was the question facing Paarl’s historic Strooidakkerk. Their answer was to plant a vineyard and make some wine.
The historic Strooidak Dutch Reformed Church in Paarl’s Main Street.
Hallowed tradition
Completed in 1805, the Paarl Dutch Reformed Church in Main Street, known as the Strooidakkerk, is one of the country’s oldest churches in active use. But over 21 years ago, a question arose about the best use of available church property.
Building a block of flats to provide rental income was one option, as the church is ideally situated in the centre of this bustling Boland town, but it was also prime property for vines. Christianity, after all, has a long tradition of winemaking. During the Middle Ages it was often monks who cultivated the vines and produced quality wine for communal use.
Its location in the heart of Paarl wine country and counting a number of winemakers and industry professionals among its congregation tipped the scales towards planting a vineyard. “We’re the only church in the country with its own vineyard,” says Johan von Wielligh, a local engineer who is also Chair of Strooidak Trust, which owns the vineyard.
All about community
Members of the congregation contribute everything from the printing to the corks. Johan has an MBA and an international wine diploma, and was operations director at KWV for a couple of years. Derek Clift had the honour of planting the original Cabernet Sauvignon in 2003 and is still responsible for the vineyards. Johan is responsible for managing the project, while Francois Haasbroek (previously from Waterford) has been the winemaker for the past five years, using rented cellar space in Franschhoek.
The last Cabernet was made in 2020, and the 2021 and 2022 vintages were for used rosé, to tide them over until new vineyards begin to bear fruit. “On the advice of [De Grendel cellar master] Charles Hopkins and [Vinpro viticultural consultant] Francois Viljoen, we decided to replace the waning 0.9 ha Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard with 60% Grenache Noir and 40% Carignan late last year,” Johan says.
New Grenache Noir and Carignan represent the future of the brand.
Until now, the wines have only been available in return for a donation, but the church recently applied for an alcohol license that will allow wine sales from the church office. This should in place by the end of the year, and all the proceeds will go to the church coffers.
The office and vineyard with the two rectories are on one side of the road; on the other, the church gable displays a sun emblem, with the motto Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nos – ‘The sun of righteousness shines over us’. “Since that sun literally watches over the vineyard across the street below, we took the motto for our label as well,” Johan says. “It’s a double symbolism.”
-
- The sun icon on the gable with founding date and motto.
-
- Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nos.
-
- Wine of Origin Paarl
The focus is now on training the new vineyards and begin marketing as soon as the licence is in place. With low overheads and a yearly production of about 4000 bottles a year, the wines are able to provide a welcome revenue stream. “Once we have the licence, we can begin building the brand in earnest,” Johan says. “It’s a lovely single-vineyard wine with lots of potential. Having Grenache Noir and Carignan at our disposal gives us more options, whether as a blend or single varietal red or rosé, and allows us to premiumise further.”
