The Marais family, seventh generation descendants of the French Huguenots who arrived in South Africa in the late 1600's has farmed in the Robertson Valley for more than a hundred years.

When the family first arrived in the area, it was thought that conditions were unsuitable for the growing of grapes. Sheep and ostriches were the main farming activities. The Cloverfield section of the farm was bought by Pieter Marais in 1917 from his neighbor Duncan Barry. The old oak tree still standing is the only evidence of a shepherd's hut that once stood there.

The discovery of cold fermentation soon showed that exceptional wines could be made here. The Marais family became pioneers in wine making in the Robertson area, producing their first wines in 1945.