Stonehill vineyard is situated at the head of picturesque Devon Valley to the north of Stellenbosch. Owner, Lorna Hughes planted cabernet sauvignon on the property in 1992 and became guardian of the property in 1998. It is a site of a winery built circa 1926 and the old building is now the hub of Bristle wines.
Until very recently Lorna supplied her grapes to a number of wineries in the Stellenbosch area who made award winning wines from them. Eventually she teamed up with talented winemaker Mark Carmichael Green and they produced BristleRed which was an instant success.
From the 2006 vintage a dry Cabernet Sauvignon Rose was made which has developed an almost cult-like following.
Stonehill labels carry a picture of Bristle, a pint sized wire haired terrier type mutt that was found dumped in a rubbish bin as a young pup and nursed back to health by Lorna. The label shows Bristle with a vine cutting in her mouth which she collects on her daily run with the family. She is now her constant companion and considered by locals to be Lorna's manager.
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