Halftien: The Wine That Marks The Start of It All

Where it all began

If you’ve ever sipped a glass of Halftien, you’ve tasted more than just a blend of exceptional grapes, you’ve tasted a legacy.

At BC Wines, Halftien isn’t just a name. It marks a moment in time that changed everything for our cellar. It was 9:30am on 20 February 1956 when the very first load of grapes arrived at the cellar, kicking off a new chapter in our wine-making history.

The delivery came in a light Bedford truck driven by Mr. Kappie Matthee, a farmer from the Moordkuil farm, owned by Mr. Ryk Viljoen. It might sound simple, just grapes being dropped off, but for everyone involved it was a deeply emotional and exciting event.

The directors were there.

The shareholders were there.

Photos were taken.

Hands were shaken.

And with the first crate of grapes tipped out and crushed, something new and uncertain finally became real.

After years of planning, setbacks, and quiet doubts, this symbolic moment put those worries to rest. Spirits were high. Glasses were raised. Mr. Van Niekerk delivered a heartfelt toast to the future of the cellar, and for the first time, belief outshone uncertainty.

But while most attendees left the gathering with satisfied smiles and high hopes, the board headed straight back to the boardroom. There was no time to relax. Their focus? Making sure this wasn’t just a one-day success, but the start of a legacy worth building.

More Than Just a Name

The name Halftien honours that first historic delivery ; a nod to the exact moment when all the dreams, doubts, and decisions finally bore fruit (quite literally). It symbolises the turning point when a bold idea became a living, working cellar.

Today, Halftien is a blend of four bold cultivars, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, that reflects the strength, unity, and determination that built BC Wines from the ground up. It’s rich, complex, and full of character, just like the story behind it.

So next time you pour a glass, raise it to 9:30am — not just a time on the clock, but the heartbeat of our history.

Want to taste the legacy? Pop over to the Shop side of our website and grab your Halftien today!

www.bcwines.co.za