zoom_in Click to enlarge

Gyles Webb

▲ ▼

language

description Gyles Webb Overview

Gyles Webb is a South African winemaker and viticulturist known for establishing Thelema Mountain Vineyards. Located on the Helshoogte Pass in Stellenbosch, Webb founded the estate in 1983 with a focus on high-altitude viticulture. The winery pioneered the planting of vineyards at higher elevations to produce distinct Bordeaux-style red blends and Chardonnay. Webb's approach focuses on terroir-driven winemaking for consumers of premium South African wines.

help Gyles Webb FAQ

Where did Gyles Webb establish Thelema Mountain Vineyards?

Gyles Webb established Thelema on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain near the Helshoogte Pass in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The location is associated with cooler, higher-altitude vineyard conditions.

When was Thelema Mountain Vineyards founded?

Gyles Webb bought Thelema in 1983 with help from his wife's family. The first wines released under the Thelema label appeared in 1988.

Which wine is Thelema best known for?

Thelema is especially associated with Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch. Its range also includes white wines and other varieties, but Cabernet Sauvignon helped establish the estate's reputation in South Africa.

Why is the winery called Thelema?

The name comes from the fictional Abbey of Thélème in the writings of François Rabelais. The vineyard's name therefore connects Gyles Webb's South African estate with a sixteenth-century French literary reference.