~ the founder ~
Solly's Story
A life lived close to the land. A passion turned into purpose.
Home › About Us
~ the man behind the wine ~
From the Soils of South Africa, a Dream Took Root.
Solly didn't set out to be a winemaker. Growing up in South Africa, he spent his early years close to the land — understanding its rhythms, its seasons, and its extraordinary potential. It was this deep-rooted connection to the earth that eventually led him to wine.
After [years / experiences — e.g. working alongside master winemakers in the Western Cape / studying viticulture / running a farm], Solly discovered something that would define everything that followed: that great wine doesn't come from a formula — it comes from a conversation between the winemaker and the soil.
Du Sol Wines — meaning "of the soil" — was born from that belief. Every bottle is an expression of where it comes from, who made it, and the season that shaped it. Nothing hidden. Nothing forced. Just honest wine from honest land.
Solly [Surname]
Founder & Winemaker, Du Sol Wines
~ our belief ~
"Wine is not made in the cellar. It is made in the vineyard — the cellar is just where we listen."
— Solly, Founder
~ the people who built this ~
The Co-Founders
Du Sol Wines was not built by one person. Stanley, Bertus, and Laurensford brought their own expertise, their own vision, and their own belief in what this wine could become.
Stanley
Co-Founder & Vineyard Director
Stanley grew up on a working farm in the Western Cape, where an understanding of the land was simply part of life. With over two decades of experience in South African viticulture, he oversees everything that happens in the vineyard — from soil preparation and canopy management to the critical decisions made at harvest. It was Stanley who first walked the Du Sol land with Solly and said, quietly, that something special could be grown here. He has been proving it ever since.
Bertus
Co-Founder & Cellarmaster
Bertus studied oenology at Stellenbosch University before spending years working harvests across the Western Cape and a brief but formative stint in Burgundy, France. He joined Solly early in the Du Sol journey, drawn by a shared belief in minimal-intervention winemaking — letting the fruit speak rather than imposing technique on it. In the cellar, Bertus is patient, methodical, and exacting. He is the reason every Du Sol wine tastes exactly as the vineyard intended.
Laurensford
Co-Founder & Commercial Partner
Laurensford brings the commercial vision that turns a great wine into a lasting brand. With a background in business development and a long-standing passion for the South African wine industry, he has been instrumental in shaping how Du Sol presents itself to the world — its identity, its relationships, and its ambitions. Where Solly and his partners think in vintages, Laurensford thinks in decades. His conviction is simple: if the wine is honest, the brand will take care of itself.
~ our journey ~
How Du Sol Wines Came to Be
Milestones to be confirmed with Solly — placeholder years shown below
[Year]
Solly's first harvest experience in the Western Cape — the moment that changed everything.
[Year]
Du Sol Wines officially founded — 'of the soil' becomes more than a name, it becomes a philosophy.
[Year]
First bottles of [Wine Name] released to family, friends, and a handful of believers.
[Year]
Stanley, Bertus, and Laurensford join as co-founders — the partnership that would shape everything.
[Year]
[Key milestone — first award, first export, first commercial release, etc.]
~ how we work ~
The Philosophy Behind Every Bottle
Terroir First
Every decision in the cellar starts with what the soil is telling us. We don't impose a style — we listen to the land and let it lead.
Minimal Intervention
The vineyard does most of the work. Our role is to guide, not dominate. We believe the best wine finds itself when you get out of its way.
Honest Winemaking
No shortcuts. No compromises. Every bottle carries the fingerprint of the season, the soil, and the hands that made it — nothing more, nothing less.
~ from vine to bottle ~
The Winemaking Process
Harvesting
Hand-picked grapes selected at peak ripeness, sorted for quality before anything else.
Crushing & Pressing
Gentle extraction — protecting the fruit's natural character from the very first touch.
Fermentation
Natural, unhurried fermentation that allows the wine's true personality to emerge.
Clarification
Patient settling and careful filtration — no rushing what takes time to do properly.
Aging & Bottling
Barrel or tank aging until the wine is ready — then sealed and sent into the world.
~ taste the story ~
Every Bottle Tells You Something About Solly.
The best way to understand Du Sol Wines is to open one. Discover the range and find your favourite.
Shop Our Wines