Lovers of good food and collectors of good wines, Neville Dorrington and family decided it was time to move to the countryside and grow and make their own wine. The search began and it was decided to buy an undeveloped farm. The farm was found. 137 hectares of virgin soils never cultivated. Slopes facing north, south, east and west.
The development farm began in May 1996. It was decided to plant different cultivars: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Pinotage. By July 1997, 14 hectares of wines were planted and the following year another 12 hectares. The cellar was completet in 1999 and the first wine releas was 2000 vintage.
Many awards were received. After 12 years of learning about the complete natural environment and the characteristic taste and flavours of the wines were produced, the family decided to concentrate on the cultivars best suited to the farm and soil: Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Shiraz. All other cultivars were pulled out and replced. This was a difficult but great decision for the future of Rijk's as evident in their wines