Thelema Merlot

Thelema Mountain Vineyards was established in 1983 when Gyles Webb, a former accountant, purchased a run-down fruit farm at the top of the Helshoogte Pass in Stellenbosch. With the support of his wife’s family, the McLeans, Webb cleared the land of orchards and planted vines, releasing the first Thelema-labeled wines in 1988. The estate’s name is inspired by the Abbey of Thélème from 16th-century French literature, representing a utopian place where members lived by the law of free will. By the mid-1990s, the winery’s focus on quality and pure-fruited expressions led it to become one of South Africa’s most sought-after estates, helping to place Stellenbosch on the global fine wine map.

The unique terroir of the 157-hectare estate is defined by its dramatic location on the southeastern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain. Reaching elevations of up to 640 meters above sea level, Thelema is among the highest and coolest wine farms in the region, benefiting from iron-rich red soils and cooling Atlantic breezes that allow for slow ripening and exceptional fruit concentration. The family’s winemaking philosophy is centered on the belief that grape quality is the most vital factor, practicing a policy of minimal intervention in the cellar. This approach ensures that the Thelema Merlot remains a true expression of its high-altitude vineyard, characterized by structural elegance, balanced acidity, and refined tannins.