Sam O’Keefe’s Lismore: ‘Her latest releases are sublime’

'If you find better aromatics on a Cape Chardonnay in 2024 than this, then do let me know'

Her wines 'habitually reach the apex of Cape wine', according to Neal Martin. When Samantha O'Keefe bought an abandoned dairy in Greyton, South Africa in the early 2000s and began planting vines, the nearest vineyards were 50km away. She probably didn’t imagine that twenty years later her wines would be ranked as among the very best in South Africa, or that she would be considered one of South Africa's foremost representatives on the world wine stage.

What Samantha spotted very early on is that Greyton is an unusually cool area by South African standards. It sees snow in winter and the cooling Cape Doctor wind through the growing season.  Grapes here can ripen up to a month later than those in Stellenbosch. It makes ideal territory for Burgundy and Rhône varieties. Sam's Lismore wines marry textural density with a compelling, nimble freshness. 

In December 2019, a bushfire destroyed the Lismore winery, and Samantha came close to losing her life. Less determined characters might have walked away at this point, but Samantha rebuilt and replanted. Lismore has, quite literally, risen from the ashes. Her latest releases are a huge success; after his recent visit, Neal Martin has called them 'sublime'. He was 'especially knocked out' by the 'quite brilliant' 2023 Reserve Syrah; and of the 2024 Reserve Chardonnay, he writes, 'If you find better aromatics on a Cape Chardonnay in 2024 than this, then do let me know'.

 /NT

Offered subject to remaining unsold. Wines available Spring 2026. To place an order, click on the wines below or call 020 7638 5998