Location and surface area of the Stark-Condé Estate vineyard
Located in the Jonkershoek Valley wine region of the Western Cape, Stark-Condé Estate produces fine South African wines within the Stellenbosch appellation.
What is the history of Stark-Condé?
Origins dating back to the 1980s
After living in Japan for over 30 years, Hans Schroder and his wife Midori Maruyama moved to South Africa in the 1980s. In 1989, they acquired the Oude Nektar estate and started cultivating a vineyard.
A new lease of life from the 2000s
Their eldest daughter joined her parents, accompanied by her son-in-law José Condé. José was a graphic designer at the time, but he swiftly developed a passion for wine and decided to produce his first Cabernet Sauvignon wine on his own in 2000, using a selection of grapes from the family vineyard.
Produced in limited quantities, this wine quickly gained critical acclaim, winning 5 stars from the Platters Wine Guide, a 92-point rating from the Wine Spectator and being named one of the 20 best wines of the year by British writer and oenologist, Oz Clarke.
José Condé designed the estate's logo, which pays tribute to Japanese art, along with all the labels in its range.
Stark-Condé, the name that renders homage to adored family members
Stark-Condé is a name that refers to two illustrious figures in this family lineage.
Indeed, "Stark" pays tribute to Franziska Stark, the mother of Hans Schroder. Known for her independence and inquisitiveness, Franziska was the first of the family to settle in Stellenbosch.
"Condé" refers to José's father, who decided to emigrate from Cuba to the United States at a very young age and passed on a passion for craftsmanship and quality workmanship to his son.
All there is to know about the Stark-Condé estate
Location and sun exposure
The Stark-Condé estate reigns over a high-altitude vineyard, comprising some of the highest plots in Stellenbosch that are poised at an altitude of around 550 metres. The entire vineyard has been certified in organic farming since 2021.
Geology: a variety of soils giving rise to great wines
The vines are planted on soils composed mainly of decomposed granite and clay.
Climate: an exceptional terroir with optimal climatic conditions
The climate of the Jonkershoek Valley is marked by both rainy winters and a south-easterly wind, conditions that guarantee the production of high quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
Vinification
The winemaking process is minimalistic, with a focus on the grape’s aromatic purity. Fermentation with natural yeasts in open-top vats is accompanied by manual punching down. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for up to 22 months before being bottled without fining or filtration.
The style of Stark-Condé wines
The profile of the wines
Produced in limited quantities, the Stark-Condé wines are utterly fine Stellenbosch wines which, through their character and rich aromatic palette, express the sophisticated identity of these great South African terroirs.
