If you’ve ever taken an up-close look at the label on any of our Reserve range wines, you’d surely have noticed a depiction of our farm’s bridge spanning across the Breede River.
Commissioned almost a century ago by our founder, Oupa Alvi in 1930, our bridge is not just a historical landmark. This little low-water bridge has since become a symbol of connection that represents both our winery’s heritage and the realisation of our head winemaker, Alvi van der Merwe’s long-held dream.
Our bridge, as well as Alvi’s journey from medical doctor living abroad to head winemaker at Alvi’s Drift, is central to both our winery’s story, and our "Taste What's Possible" Reserve range campaign.
Read on as we explore the history of our bridge, learn more about Alvi's dream to return to the family farm, and how these elements are woven into the story of our Reserve Range wines.
“I worked abroad as a doctor for many years, but it was always my dream to come home." - Alvi van der Merwe
Alvi’s Drift: How Our Bridge Got Its Name
The labels on our Reserve Range bottles all feature an illustration of Alvi’s Drift, the bridge over the Breede River that runs through our third-generation farm.
This bridge, commissioned by our founder Albertus Viljoen “Oupa Alvi” van der Merwe in 1930, not only allows easier access to our farm, it also symbolises our Breede River Valley winery’s journey over decades, from dream to reality.
Oupa Alvi’s son Bertie started wine production on our farm, and today his grandson, Albertus Viljoen “Alvi” van der Merwe III, continues the family’s winemaking legacy.
"I went for a run and stepped on a small bush; I remember thinking, ‘that smells like the veld.’ I resigned that same day."
A Dream to Return… And Taste What’s Possible
Alvi spent many years working abroad as a medical doctor. But no matter where life took him, the pull of home remained strong. "I worked abroad as a doctor for many years, but it was always my dream to return," Alvi recalls. Based in North America with his family, his country of birth and dream of winemaking were never far from his thoughts.
One day, while out jogging, a moment of connection with the South African landscape changed the course of his life. "I went for a run and stepped on a small bush; I remember thinking ‘that smells like the veld.’ I resigned that same day."
For Alvi, this was a pivotal moment, one that led him back to his roots, back to his native land, and back to the farm where he would begin to realise his dream of crafting world-class wines.
Wines that would not only tell a story of tradition, but also of possibility.
"It was many years before my grandfather learned that the locals had named it 'Alvi’s Drift', after him."
The Bridge That Creates Connection
Central to the story of Alvi’s Drift is this humble yet significant structure – the bridge that connects our family’s farm to the greater community.
Our bridge is more than a crossing over the Breede River. Today, it also stands as a symbol of unity and connection; a metaphor for overcoming obstacles and tasting what is possible, both in the art of winemaking and in life.
"Oupa Alvi saw that people needed easier access to the land, so he commissioned this little bridge to create that safe passage," says Alvi. “Local people and also those from further afield soon started referring to it as "Alvi’s Drift," recognising the role Oupa Alvi played in its creation.
Over the years, this bridge has grown into a landmark, and a powerful symbol of our Scherpenheuwel winery's identity.
"Making wine is just something that I wanted to do every day. I guess you could call it a passion.”
Crafting a Legacy
When Alvi returned to his family’s farm, his passion for winemaking knew no bounds.
Initially working as a medical doctor in the nearby town of Worcester, he spent all the time he had available to learn this centuries-old craft.
"In my free time, I started helping my father out on the farm. One year, after he’d picked his grapes, he let me pick from the grapes that were left. I really put in a lot of effort and made just a little bit of Chardonnay and Muscat de Frontignan. I had to buy my own bottles, and barrels for maturation”.
In 2003, Alvi produced his first wines, which also won him his first wine awards. "This really gave me a taste of what was possible as a winemaker. I think this is where I realised that this was something I could do for the rest of my life."
Two years later, Alvi realised it was time to give the winery a name, one that reflected both its heritage, and the promising future ahead. He remembered the bridge his grandfather had built – a landmark that had since become such a central part of their community and his family’s story.
"I remembered this little bridge that my grandfather had built almost a century ago. It truly was something that he wanted to do for the community."
Alvi's Drift Reserve Range: Tasting What's Possible
Our Reserve Range wines embody the spirit of Alvi’s dream and our family’s winemaking journey.
The labels on our Reserve range bottles feature an illustration of the iconic "Alvi’s Drift" bridge, symbolising the journey from possibility to reality. These wines, crafted with dedication in a relentless pursuit of excellence, invite wine enthusiasts to taste what is possible, both in life, and in the art of winemaking.
Our Reserve Range Wines
Alvi’s Drift Reserve CVC
Pale straw-coloured with intense aromas of peach, passionfruit, and stewed quince, this medium-bodied wine boasts citrus and floral notes, a creamy, balanced palate, and soft, well-integrated tannins. Offering a deliciously lingering, tropical fruit finish, it can be enjoyed immediately or matured for up to eight years.
Alvi’s Drift Reserve Viognier
This radiant, pale-gold wine boasts an enticing bouquet of ripe peach, juicy apricot, and tropical mango and pineapple. Subtle notes of toasted coriander and vanilla, with hints of floral perfume and oak, add complexity. This fruit-forward, aromatic wine offers a well-balanced, rounded mouthfeel and a lingering finish.
Alvi’s Drift Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
With lime green edges hinting at freshness, this brilliant wine boasts delicate notes of white peach, mingling with subtle lemon notes. On the palate, it envelopes with a rich creaminess, showcasing succulent flavours of white peach, balanced by bright lemon acidity. Careful ageing in oak barrels lends depth and complexity. This wine will age gracefully for up to eight years.
Alvi’s Drift Reserve Chardonnay
Pale, leaf-gold in colour with a lime green edge, this wine boasts forthcoming aromas of lemon curd, with hints of vanilla and buttery tropical notes of pineapple and melon. Elegant and creamy on the palate, the fruit follows through with a delectably lingering lemon-cream aftertaste. Boasting a beautiful balance between fruits, acids, and gentle tannins, this wine will mature well for up to eight years.
Alvi’s Drift Reserve Drift Fusion
Intense black cherry-coloured with a youthful ruby rim, this wine offers complex aromas of rich, ripe black fruit with notes of prune, black cherry, and blackcurrant, while layers of spice and hints of cedarwood combine with fruit. This well-rounded wine’s black fruit flavours follow through on the palate, where silky-yet-firm tannins and well-balanced acidity beautifully combine. Mature for up to eight years or enjoy immediately.
Alvi’s Drift Reserve Muscat Nectarinia
This delectable natural dessert wine boasts a velvety mouthfeel with a lift of zesty freshness and a sweetness that’s beautifully balanced by its energising acidity. The wine’s luminous amber hue reflects both the perfect ripeness of the grapes and the five years spent developing in French oak barrels. Expect a profusion of intense raisin, fig, and honey aromas with notes of dried yellow peach, deliciously enveloped in hints of mixed spice.
“To be a part of this journey is simply a privilege. I feel blessed to be able to live out my passion for winemaking every day.”
A Journey Without End
The story of Alvi’s Drift is one of perseverance, passion, and endless possibility. "Everything we’re doing here, everything we’ve got planned, it makes me excited about what lies ahead for our winery," Alvi shares. "There’s so much still to explore. We’ve come a long way, but in a sense, it’s a journey that never ends."
Explore Our Award-Winning South African Wines
Taste what’s possible and celebrate those moments that matter most. Browse our online shop to discover your favourite Alvi’s Drift wines, and have them delivered to your door.
