Chris Williams and his business partner James Reid started The Foundry Wines in 2001. Initially sourcing fruit from across Stellenbosch, the duo shifted focus in 2009 when James purchased a farm in the Voor-Paardeberg. From the 2023 vintage all wines have been made from grapes on the farm. The Foundry specialises in single-varietal wines that are linear, precise, and true to their origin.
The Foundry’s wines have become South African benchmarks in their respective categories, setting a standard against which others are often measured. They are go-to wines if you’re looking for single-varietal Roussanne, Viognier or Grenache Blanc.
Williams also produces Geographica, an ultra-premium, site-specific range showcasing exceptional vineyards. Chris’ deep understanding of Stellenbosch terroir was honed during his nearly two decades as cellarmaster at Meerlust. Starting with sites only in Stellenbosch in 2020, Geographica has expanded beyond that for the first time with a Chardonnay from the renowned Tierhoek farm in Piekenierskloof.
These limited-edition wines are aged in clay dolia (oval-shaped earthenware vessel, much larger than amphora, with a wide mouth and a rounded or flat bottom, capable of holding much larger volumes) imported by Chris from Spain. They facilitate a steady micro-oxygenation and suspended lees which softens the tannins and adds texture and complexity to the wines.
They focus on making small batches and only sourcing grapes from single vineyards to let each unique terroir speak for itself.
“Viognier is often difficult to drink precisely because of its extravagant aromatics and typically big palate weight but Chris Williams makes one of the more balanced local versions. His Foundry 2022 from Stellenbosch was fermented and matured for nine months in neutral barrels. On the nose, peach, floral perfume and a subtle herbal note while the palate shows concentrated fruit, zippy acidity and a dry finish. Full but balanced, this has a winning sweetness about it, a residual sugar of 3.7g/l adding nice weight. 92/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
“W.O. Voor Paardeberg including 49% of own fruit from a vineyard planted in 2018. Fermented and matured for 10 months in a combination of older oak, stainless steel tank and terracotta. The nose unfolds slowly, offering nuanced notes of pear, white peach and a delicate floral perfume. The palate is poised and finely etched – pure fruit complemented by a vibrant line of acidity, the finish long and gently pithy. Linear in structure yet not austere. 94/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
“Sourced from Voor-Paardeberg, this wine was matured for 10 months, 75% in old 300-litre barrels and 25% in amphorae. The nose shows peach, citrus, potpourri, and spice. The palate has both presence and depth – dense fruit, well-integrated acidity, and a savoury finish. Layers of flavour, the finish persistent. Alc: 13.36%. What do expect from this variety under local conditions? I’m not sure I know conclusively but this points the way. 94/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
“Made from Voor-Paardeberg fruit, the winemaking involved 40% whole-bunch fermentation, followed by 13 months in old oak and dolium. The nose shows baked red berries, some rubbery reduction, and an earthy undertone. The palate is rich and broad, with a suggestion of sweetness, while the tannins are well on their way to being too resolved.”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
“Second vintage from own Voor Paardeberg vineyard planted in 2000. Includes 6% Roussanne. 30% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 14 months in older oak and terracotta. Blackberry, violet and cracked pepper aromatics precede a palate that’s well-structured – dense fruit, bright acidity and firm, grippy tannins in balance. The finish is dry without being austere. Youthful and assertive, this promises to age with benefit. 94/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
“From a Helderberg vineyard planted in 1957, this was matured for 10 months in a mix of old oak, terracotta egg, and dolium (a large amphora). The nose reveals pear, peach, lemon, herbs, and a hint of reduction, while the palate is sumptuous and sexy – weight and creaminess in part due to some residual sugar, the acidity nicely coated, the finish gently savoury. 94/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
“Sourced from Tierhoek in Piekenierskloof, this opens with distinctive earthy and hay-like aromatics before revealing notes of pear, peach, citrus, and a hint of yeasty complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and a dry finish. Focused with a nervy tension about it. 93/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
“Named in honour of 19th century American naturalist and author Henry David Thoreau. Grapes from the western slopes of Klapmuts. 20% whole-bunch fermentation. Fermented and matured for 16 months, 80% in French oak and 20% in terracotta.
The nose shows cranberry, cherry, cassis and rose plus a subtle and attractive grassy quality. The palate has good weight and texture – succulent fruit, bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and dry. At 13.75% aclohol, it’s pretty much pitch perfect – neither under- or overdone. 94/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
The Foundry is an avid supporter of Rhône white Varietals in South Africa. They are known for their fruit forward noses and palate filled with texture.
This mixed case includes:
2 bottles of The Foundry Grenache Blanc 2022
2 bottles of The Foundry Viognier 2022
2 bottles of The Foundry Roussanne 2022
R2,700.00Original price was: R2,700.00.R2,565.00Current price is: R2,565.00.Add to basket
Geographica Mixed Case 2025
Included in this mixed case is:
2 bottles of Geographica ‘Bonsai’ Chenin Blanc 2022
2 bottles of Geographica ‘Aletheia’ Chardonnay 2023
2 bottles of Geographica ‘Thoreau’ Cabernet Franc 2020
The Foundry and Geographica 2025
Chris Williams and his business partner James Reid started The Foundry Wines in 2001. Initially sourcing fruit from across Stellenbosch, the duo shifted focus in 2009 when James purchased a farm in the Voor-Paardeberg. From the 2023 vintage all wines have been made from grapes on the farm. The Foundry specialises in single-varietal wines that are linear, precise, and true to their origin.
The Foundry’s wines have become South African benchmarks in their respective categories, setting a standard against which others are often measured. They are go-to wines if you’re looking for single-varietal Roussanne, Viognier or Grenache Blanc.
Williams also produces Geographica, an ultra-premium, site-specific range showcasing exceptional vineyards. Chris’ deep understanding of Stellenbosch terroir was honed during his nearly two decades as cellarmaster at Meerlust. Starting with sites only in Stellenbosch in 2020, Geographica has expanded beyond that for the first time with a Chardonnay from the renowned Tierhoek farm in Piekenierskloof.
These limited-edition wines are aged in clay dolia (oval-shaped earthenware vessel, much larger than amphora, with a wide mouth and a rounded or flat bottom, capable of holding much larger volumes) imported by Chris from Spain. They facilitate a steady micro-oxygenation and suspended lees which softens the tannins and adds texture and complexity to the wines.
They focus on making small batches and only sourcing grapes from single vineyards to let each unique terroir speak for itself.
The Wines:
R255.00Add to basket
The Foundry Viognier 2022
“Viognier is often difficult to drink precisely because of its extravagant aromatics and typically big palate weight but Chris Williams makes one of the more balanced local versions. His Foundry 2022 from Stellenbosch was fermented and matured for nine months in neutral barrels. On the nose, peach, floral perfume and a subtle herbal note while the palate shows concentrated fruit, zippy acidity and a dry finish. Full but balanced, this has a winning sweetness about it, a residual sugar of 3.7g/l adding nice weight. 92/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
R255.00Add to basket
The Foundry Grenache Blanc 2022
“W.O. Voor Paardeberg including 49% of own fruit from a vineyard planted in 2018. Fermented and matured for 10 months in a combination of older oak, stainless steel tank and terracotta. The nose unfolds slowly, offering nuanced notes of pear, white peach and a delicate floral perfume. The palate is poised and finely etched – pure fruit complemented by a vibrant line of acidity, the finish long and gently pithy. Linear in structure yet not austere. 94/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
R250.00Read more
The Foundry Roussanne 2022
“Sourced from Voor-Paardeberg, this wine was matured for 10 months, 75% in old 300-litre barrels and 25% in amphorae. The nose shows peach, citrus, potpourri, and spice. The palate has both presence and depth – dense fruit, well-integrated acidity, and a savoury finish. Layers of flavour, the finish persistent. Alc: 13.36%. What do expect from this variety under local conditions? I’m not sure I know conclusively but this points the way. 94/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
R360.00Add to basket
The Foundry Grenache Noir 2021
“Made from Voor-Paardeberg fruit, the winemaking involved 40% whole-bunch fermentation, followed by 13 months in old oak and dolium. The nose shows baked red berries, some rubbery reduction, and an earthy undertone. The palate is rich and broad, with a suggestion of sweetness, while the tannins are well on their way to being too resolved.”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
R360.00Add to basket
The Foundry Syrah 2021
“Second vintage from own Voor Paardeberg vineyard planted in 2000. Includes 6% Roussanne. 30% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 14 months in older oak and terracotta. Blackberry, violet and cracked pepper aromatics precede a palate that’s well-structured – dense fruit, bright acidity and firm, grippy tannins in balance. The finish is dry without being austere. Youthful and assertive, this promises to age with benefit. 94/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
R500.00Add to basket
Geographica 'Bonsai' Chenin Blanc 2022
“From a Helderberg vineyard planted in 1957, this was matured for 10 months in a mix of old oak, terracotta egg, and dolium (a large amphora). The nose reveals pear, peach, lemon, herbs, and a hint of reduction, while the palate is sumptuous and sexy – weight and creaminess in part due to some residual sugar, the acidity nicely coated, the finish gently savoury. 94/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
R350.00Add to basket
Geographica 'Aletheia' Chardonnay 2023
“Sourced from Tierhoek in Piekenierskloof, this opens with distinctive earthy and hay-like aromatics before revealing notes of pear, peach, citrus, and a hint of yeasty complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and a dry finish. Focused with a nervy tension about it. 93/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
R500.00Add to basket
Geographica 'Thoreau' Cabernet Franc 2020
“Named in honour of 19th century American naturalist and author Henry David Thoreau. Grapes from the western slopes of Klapmuts. 20% whole-bunch fermentation. Fermented and matured for 16 months, 80% in French oak and 20% in terracotta.
The nose shows cranberry, cherry, cassis and rose plus a subtle and attractive grassy quality. The palate has good weight and texture – succulent fruit, bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and dry. At 13.75% aclohol, it’s pretty much pitch perfect – neither under- or overdone. 94/100”
Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
R1,530.00Add to basket
The Foundry Whites Mixed Case 2025
Includes Free Shipping
The Foundry is an avid supporter of Rhône white Varietals in South Africa. They are known for their fruit forward noses and palate filled with texture.
This mixed case includes:
2 bottles of The Foundry Grenache Blanc 2022
2 bottles of The Foundry Viognier 2022
2 bottles of The Foundry Roussanne 2022
R2,700.00Original price was: R2,700.00.R2,565.00Current price is: R2,565.00.Add to basketGeographica Mixed Case 2025
Included in this mixed case is:
2 bottles of Geographica ‘Bonsai’ Chenin Blanc 2022
2 bottles of Geographica ‘Aletheia’ Chardonnay 2023
2 bottles of Geographica ‘Thoreau’ Cabernet Franc 2020
By Chris Williams of The Foundry
Geographica is a super-premium range of wine that illustrates where the grapes are sourced from.
READ MORE ABOUT THE FOUNDRY WINES