Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar

Alvi’s Drift Private Cellar is a family-owned winery located on the sprawling 7,000-hectare Alfalfa Farm property in the Scherpenhuevel wine ward of the Breede River Valley, approximately 20 kilometers south of Worcester. The estate has been owned and operated by the Van der Merwe family since 1928, when patriarch Albertus Viljoen ‘Alvi’ van der Merwe (the first) built a low-water bridge across the Breede River to access the property. This ford became locally known as ‘Alvi’s Drift’ and gave the winery its enduring name. The bridge remains in use today, symbolizing the connection between heritage and modern winemaking. The winery represents the coming together of generations of winemaking expertise and the uncompromising pursuit of a family dream to produce wines that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best. Current owner Bertie Van Der Merwe, Alvi’s son, considerably extended and redesigned both the estate and cellar, transforming it into a modern 7,000-tonne facility. His sons Johan (a lawyer) and Alvi (a medical doctor) have joined the business, with Alvi van der Merwe serving as part of the winemaking team alongside Henk Swart and Linley Schultz. The estate has dedicated 410 hectares to 19 different grape varieties, cultivated across varied soils, slopes, and microclimates that characterize the ruggedly beautiful landscape between Worcester and Villiersdorp. Chenin Blanc and Pinotage are estate specialties, benefiting from the Scherpenhuevel ward’s unique terroir. Alvi’s Drift philosophy honors thousands of years of wine culture without bowing to tradition, instead pursuing innovation, excellence, quality and distinctive flavour. The estate has garnered numerous international accolades and recognition for the passion and teamwork invested in each vintage. Beyond winemaking, Alfalfa Farm operates as a diverse agricultural enterprise including a large dairy herd, commercial milk packaging facility, cheese-making operation, piggery, citrus and stone fruit orchards, and fodder production. The property even features a game reserve with eland, springbok, ostriches, and gemsbok. This multifaceted approach reflects the family’s commitment to sustainable, integrated farming.