High on the slopes of the imposing Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch lies South Africa’s oldest red wine estate. The trellised vineyards cling to the high granite slopes, rising from 100 to 500 meters above sea level, making it an ideal location for cultivating red grape varietals.

Alto has a rich history, with the first title deeds dating back to 1693. However, it was in 1919 that the farm was dedicated entirely to vineyards. For nearly a century, Alto has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most respected red wine producers, thanks to the foresight of farmer Manie Malan and his family, who recognised the property’s unique aspect, soils, and slopes as perfect for crafting full-bodied red wines. They named the farm "Alto" in homage to its altitude and their pursuit of excellence.

The cellar and homestead built by the Malans still stand today. The Malan family nurtured and expanded the vineyards for four decades before selling the property to Piet du Toit in 1959. Du Toit, upon purchasing the farm, employed a team of experts to evaluate the terroir and soils to ensure that suitable cultivars were planted across the estate. The consensus confirmed Manie Malan’s intuition: Alto was, and remains, the domain of excellent red wines.