Vilafonté is a groundbreaking wine project founded by a distinguished group of quality-driven wine specialists from South Africa and the United States. This esteemed team includes Zelma Long, a former winemaker at Opus One, Mike Ratcliffe, Managing Director from Warwick, and Dr. Phillip Freese, who designed and planted the first Opus One vineyards. Their collective ambition is to produce the finest Bordeaux-style wine from South Africa.

Vilafonté represents the coming together of great wine expertise from both California and South Africa. The vision shared by the founding partners is the culmination of a lifelong dream, marked by an unwavering determination to create wines that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s finest. Their commitment is nothing short of exceptional.

The philosophy of Vilafonté is deeply rooted in nurturing a culture of patience, both in the cellaring and the enjoyment of their wines. This patient approach results in wines that exhibit elegant complexity, structure, and longevity.