More than a wine relaunch, the exclusive soft reintroduction of Masons Winery was a deeply personal celebration of family, craft, and evolution. Hosted at the JA Clift Granite Factory, the evening welcomed 65 guests to experience the rebirth of a boutique winery rooted in 25 years of winemaking heritage and generations of stone and masonry.
Founded by Derek Clift, Masons Winery traces its origins to a shared cellar space with seven wineries and has since grown into a focused, boutique collection defined by modern elegance and authenticity.
“This evening is far more than introducing our wines,” said Clift. “It’s a moment of gratitude — to friends, family, partners and everyone who helped bring this project to life. Masons is our story, told through wine.”
A Boutique Collection with Purpose
The newly relaunched Masons Collection currently comprises two limited-production wines — only 2,000 bottles per wine:
Masons Voëltjiegat Chenin Blanc 2024: named after a special vantage point on the De Hoop farm.
Masons Quarry Block Shiraz 2023: inspired by the working granite quarry and the Clift family’s masonry legacy.
Each wine reflects the deep decomposed granite soils that have sustained the Clift family’s stone business for generations — a literal and symbolic foundation for the brand.
“Our wines draw their soul from 500-million-year-old granite,” said Clift. “They are a marriage between craft and nature.”
An Immersive Relaunch Experience
The evening opened with Cederberg Blanc de Blancs, wines served in Riedel glassware, accompanied by the electrifying performance of Renate Riedemann on electric violin. Guests enjoyed thoughtfully curated dishes by Verfynd, before a guided tasting led by winemaker Christopher Kruger, who crafts the Masons wines under the mentorship of David Nieuwoudt of Cederberg.
“Each wine is made to express place, texture and story,” said Kruger. “From the precision of the Chenin to the power of the Shiraz, these are wines with intent.”
Rebranding with Integrity
The relaunch introduced striking new labels designed by Adams Rib, carefully developed to honour the winery’s past while positioning it firmly in the premium space.
The Shiraz label reflects the raw quarry face — a nod to stone, labour and legacy — while the Chenin Blanc label captures the windswept Voëltjiegat block, perfectly suited to cool-climate Chenin.
“We didn’t want a facelift,” said Clift. “We wanted something authentic — labels that reflect our journey, our hands-on history, and the people behind Masons.”
Looking Ahead: The Village Winery & Amphitheatre
The relaunch also marked the announcement of The Village Winery @ Masons — a working cellar and wine lounge set to open in the heart of Paarl in mid-2026. The project is a joint venture with Gerrit Human (Bacchus) and David Nieuwoudt (Cederberg Wines), bringing state-of-the-art equipment, intimate tastings, select guest winemakers and imported wines under one roof.
The next chapter for Masons includes new vineyard plantings of Shiraz and Chenin Blanc in 2026, followed by Rhône varietals and the debut of a Rhône-style blend named Amphitheatre.
“The Village Winery will be a space for connection — between winemaker and guest, wine and story,” Clift said. “It’s where our future takes shape.”
About Masons Winery
Masons Winery is a boutique South African producer built on family heritage, craftsmanship and modern elegance. Each limited-release wine is handcrafted to reflect terroir, texture and time.
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Website: www.masonswinery.co.za
Instagram & Facebook: @masonswinery