There’s power in a name. It carries stories, legacies – and the weight of the choices that shape our tomorrows.
At Alvi’s Drift, the name Albertus Viljoen is more than a signature on a bottle. It pays tribute to our founder, Albertus Viljoen van der Merwe I (or Oupa Alvi, as we still fondly refer to him) – a man whose vision laid the foundation for a tradition of excellence that endures to this day.
Through our Albertus Viljoen campaign, we invite you to rediscover the meaning of a name, the pursuit of a dream, and a legacy that continues to unfold.
Oupa Alvi: A Man With A Vision
“I remember my grandfather as a man who was always impeccably dressed. On holiday in Hermanus, he took us grandchildren for a swim in the ocean every morning and every evening. Oupa Alvi always had a smile on his face. And he had a deep appreciation for good wine.” – Alvi van der Merwe
Our founder was a man of determination and vision. In 1928, he made history as the 221st player selected for the Springbok rugby team, scoring the first-ever try against the All Blacks on African soil. But his legacy extended far beyond the field. That same year, he began laying the foundation for what would become our third-generation Scherpenheuvel winery.
From the moment he planted the first orchards, Oupa Alvi understood that greatness takes time. That winemaking excellence is not achieved overnight, or even in one lifetime, but through generations of hard work, dedication, and passion.
Today, our founder’s name lives on in our acclaimed Albertus Viljoen Icon range, a collection of world-class, barrel-fermented wines that embody the craftsmanship, patience, and passion that define our approach to winemaking.
Oom Bertie: Laying The Foundations For Excellence
After Oupa Alvi, it was Albertus Viljoen van der Merwe II (affectionately known as Oom Bertie) who carried our winery’s vision forward. Taking the reins from his father in 1959, Oom Bertie established vineyards on our family farm and laid the groundwork for what was to become our world-class winery.
But his impact reached far beyond our farm. Our winemaker’s father was a well-respected figure in the South African wine industry, serving as vice chairman of the KWV and several fruit boards, as well as chairman of the South African Brandy Foundation. In 2010, Oom Bertie was inducted as a Legend of the SA Wine Industry.
A strong-willed man of even stronger principles, for Oom Bertie, true success wasn’t about accolades or awards. It was about hard work, innovation, and community, and always ensuring that every decision he made would contribute to a stronger future for our family farm. Not just for him and his family, but for everyone who contributed to, and earned a living from, it.
It was this determined vision that inspired his son, Albertus Viljoen van der Merwe III (or Alvi, as he is known to all), to transform Alvi’s Drift from a bulk wine producer into the globally acclaimed winery it is today.
And, although our family winery keeps growing from strength to strength, the values Oom Bertie instilled here during his lifetime will always remain at the heart of all we do.
Alvi: Carrying The Dream Forward
"I worked abroad for many years, but it was always my dream to come home. One day, in Canada, I went for a run and stepped on a small bush. I remember thinking, 'That smells like the veld.' I resigned that same day and moved back home soon after"
For Alvi, winemaking is both a passion and a calling. Though his medical career took him abroad for many years, the pull of his home country and family farm never faded.
Once back in Worcester in 1999, while still practicing medicine, Alvi began working alongside his father. His passion for winemaking just grew stronger, and in 2003, he crafted his first wines – a Chardonnay and Muscat de Frontignan – using leftover grapes from his father’s harvest. These early wines earned him his first awards, fuelling his determination to become a full-time winemaker.
"Our cellar is where I get to experiment, innovate, and live out my passion for winemaking. To be creative in one's work is an incredible privilege. Producing a product that enhances people's enjoyment of life is truly a blessing."
By 2005, after five years of passionately pursuing winemaking as a hobby, Alvi knew it was time to take the next step – marketing our winery’s increasingly popular wines under its own trademark.
Naming the winery after the small bridge (or drift in Afrikaans) his grandfather commissioned in 1930 gave it deeper meaning. More than just a landmark, this bridge became a symbol of connection, perseverance, and a legacy that spans generations.
Today, Alvi’s Drift is one of South Africa’s most celebrated wineries, built on passion, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence. And just like the bridge that inspired our name, our journey is far from over.
"For me, success isn't just about awards. It's about authenticity, sustainability, and leaving something greater behind. Whether in the vineyard, the cellar, or shaping the future of this farm, our dream is simple - we want to create wines that not only honour our past, but also shape our future."
A Wine With Purpose
Our acclaimed Albertus Viljoen range is built on a simple yet powerful belief: a legacy of pursuing excellence is shaped by the choices we make every day.
This philosophy extends beyond our vineyards. At Alvi’s Drift, sustainability isn’t just about the land – it’s about the people who call it home. True commitment isn’t measured in products or profits, but in the opportunities created for future generations.
That’s why we’ve partnered with The Indaba Institute, an organisation dedicated to early childhood development and education in South Africa. By training teachers from within our own community, we are investing in a future where every child on our farm has the opportunity to thrive.
Education and empowerment are at the heart of lasting change. Through this collaboration, the legacy of our founder lives on – not only in our wines, but also in the lives we help shape.
Because a true legacy isn’t just about what you leave behind – it’s about what you set in motion.
Albertus Viljoen: Pursuit Of Excellence
Full-bodied and barrel-fermented, our Albertus Viljoen Icon range wines are the epitome of our commitment to excellence. These are wines to savour, allowing their rich elegance and lingering finish to elevate your experience.
Crafted for the discerning palate, these multi-award-winning wines stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world and exemplify our pursuit of excellence in all we do.
Explore our Albertus Viljoen range here.
