In 1691, the Farm Laborie was granted to French Huguenot Isaac Taillefert. Already the owner of the neighbouring Picardie, Taillefert placed Laborie in his son Jean’s name. Together, they set about clearing the bush and planting vines, and within seven years, were producing drinkable wine. It was the opinion of a Frenchman, Leguat, who visited the Cape in 1698, that their wine was “the best in the colony and similar to our small wines of Champagne”.

With their knowledge of French viticultural techniques, the Taillefert family laid a solid foundation of vineyards and outstanding wine production evident, over three hundred years later, in Laborie’s wines of distinction.