About Us

OUR STORY AND RICH HERITAGE

Where Legacy Finds Freedom—and a Whole Lot of Heart

Freedom Hill’s roots run deep. The story begins in 1699, when this land formed part of La Paris—a historic farm granted to French Huguenot François Retief. Once 414 hectares strong, the estate was later divided, and from that came a gem of a vineyard with a view like no other.

Fast forward a few centuries, and in 2004, Freedom Hill Vineyards opened its cellar doors as a boutique wine estate. Tucked into the slopes of the Wemmershoek Mountains and perfectly poised between Franschhoek and Paarl, the vineyard quickly became known for more than just its award-winning wines—it became a place where time slows and glasses are raised often.

Then came Shane and Adele Jeffrey. Their shared love for their family—and especially for their two beautiful daughters, Shantelle and Michaela—is both admirable and unmistakable. Their favorite topic of conversation is always their daughters, and when they speak of them, the love they share overflows so clearly that it touches everyone around them. Who knows—one day, we might even find a wine here at the vineyard named in their honor.

In 2022, the couple fell head over heels for this 40-hectare piece of paradise—and never looked back. Shane, an engineer by trade and an adventurer at heart, is the kind of man who can fix, build, plant, pour, or plan just about anything. If he’s not checking on the vines or tweaking something brilliant, you’ll find him outdoors or on the tennis court, racket in hand and grin on face.

Adele, on the other hand, is the soul of the estate. She’s the warmth in every welcome, the laugh in every sip of wine, and the kind of person who makes you feel like you’ve known her forever. Her spirit keeps the farm glowing—just like a glass of our smooth red wine warming your belly.

And the name? Freedom Hill isn’t just poetic—it’s POWERFUL. From the farm, you can see the gates of the former Victor Verster Prison (now the Drakenstein Correctional Facility), where Nelson Mandela walked into FREEDOM. That view, that moment, is etched into every bottle.

Here, history lingers, laughter echoes, and the wine flows freely.
So come as you are, and leave a little lighter.

Meet Estelle – The Heartbeat of Freedom Hill

At Freedom Hill Vineyards, our people are the soul of everything we do—and Estelle is both our left and right hand (and often, our heart too).

With a personality as bright as a summer morning and a laugh that echoes down the rows of vines, Estelle brings warmth, joy, and rhythm to the farm. Quite literally—there’s always music playing when she’s around, and somehow, it lifts us all.

Estelle’s roots run deep here. She grew up on the original La Paris estate, back when Freedom Hill was still just an untamed dream. Her stories are woven with memory, laughter, and a history that few can tell quite like she does. Sit with her for five minutes and you’ll find yourself enchanted—ten minutes and you’ll never want to leave.

Everyone loves Estelle. And we wouldn’t be who we are without her.

Enjoy our Wine

Patrons can sip a glass of wine on the veranda or stretch out on the lawn, soaking up the stunning views of the vineyards and the historic site of the “Walk to Freedom.” And if there’s a chill in the air? No problem—a grand fireplace inside the venue keeps things cozy… the wine helps too, of course!

Every bottle has a story to tell—a story of struggle and freedom, of peace and perseverance—with just the right hint of oak and sunshine.

The estate’s natural beauty and peaceful vibe make it the perfect place to unwind. With rolling vineyards, a breathtaking mountain backdrop, and a touch of history in the air, Freedom Hill Vineyards invites guests to slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy the moment. Whether you’re here for the wine, the views, or just a little quiet time, you’ll feel right at home.

OUR PRIME VINEYARDS

At Freedom Hill, the gifts of nature, combined with the passion and expertise of our winemakers, create wines of distinctive character, abundant flavor, superb balance, and refined elegance.

Our first vines were planted in 1998, and today, they thrive in the farm’s Oak Leaf soils—ideal for cultivating top-quality red grapes. During summer, the prevailing south-easterly winds create cool ripening conditions, allowing the grapes to develop slowly and reach their optimal flavor.

The unique terroir of our winery perfectly nurtures our red grape cultivars—Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinotage—which flourish in the farm’s sandy soil. Only hand-selected red grapes from our vineyards are used to craft our wines. To ensure each bottle reaches its peak of perfection, our red wines are matured in oak barrels for 12 to 24 months.

Our crisp white wines are carefully selected to achieve the perfect balance of quality and freshness. With a limited production of approximately 12,000 cases per year, we maintain meticulous attention to detail, ensuring excellence in every bottle.