Brand Story

Niels & Penny met at a friend's birthday party in 1985, where they discovered that they were both going to be attending Elsenburg Agricultural College in the new year. They became close friends & romance blossomed late one night cramming for exams. With a desire to make wine but with no access to vineyards, Penny & Niels left the country in 1989. 1995 saw the Verburg family return. Niels had worked as a flying winemaker in France, Chile, New Zealand & Australia, and even managed to make wine in Greece. A longing to work on a small farm led them to Bot River. After 8 vintages at Beaumont, they moved up the hill to a 16 hectare patch of land. Thirty years later, with three kids & six dogs, the Verburgs are happy on their hill & Luddite Wines has evolved into an established & respected brand.