Barton is a working farm encompassing vineyards and a Fynbos Reserve conserving the region’s bio-diversity. The Neill family purchased Barton in 2001 with its six hectares of 20 year old Chenin Blanc vines. Starting in 2003 the planting of a further 30 hectares of vines include a Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Mourvedre.

The cool, frost free climate and southerly aspect gives rise to a slow and extended grape ripening period thus lending itself to the production of exceptional wines. Temperatures in the growing season average between 19 and 22 degrees Celsius. The vineyards are planted on southerly slopes ensuring exposure to the cool sea breezes aiding colour and tannin formation on the red grapes and acidity on the white grapes.

The dominant soil formation is gravely coarse sand with ferrous-quartzite that overlies soft weathered sandstone with clay patches. The soils induce low to moderate vigour with resultant low yields and concentration of flavour.

The first Barton wine was the Chenin Blanc 2003 and in 2006 construction of Barton’s cellar commenced and the tasting room opened in early 2007. The cellar was fully operational for the 2008 harvest.