The farm was officially registered on June 1, 1816, with Sir Johannes Andries Truter, then President of the Cape Holland Supreme Court, as its first owner. The farmhouse, now a restaurant, is about 200 years old, as evidenced by its exposed walls. Springfontein's history traces back to 1798 when Lady Anne Barnard, a Scottish travel writer, passed through its grounds. The farm was named Springfontein after a spring in its northeastern part, providing sufficient water for agriculture despite the challenging soil. For many years, the farm supported small-scale livestock farming and limited cultivation of onions and potatoes. However, by 1983, all farming activities had ceased for over a decade.

The farm's revival began in December 1994, when Johst Weber, an engineer passionate about natural resource management, discovered an advertisement in Decanter magazine highlighting the potential for high-quality vineyards on limestone soils. After visiting Springfontein in March 1996, Johst purchased the farm, envisioning it as a place for vine cultivation and a gathering spot for like-minded individuals. The journey to establish the vineyard was fraught with challenges, including a lack of viticulture knowledge, bird flocks targeting the crops, and frequent fires. Despite these obstacles, the first harvest in 2000 proved successful, establishing Springfontein's wine cellar in 2004.

Since 2018, Springfontein has held a "Monopole" appellation, known as "Springfontein Rim," reflecting its unique vineyard status within the Walker Bay coastal wine district. Springfontein's growing conditions differ significantly from the Cape Winelands and its Kleinrivier neighbours. All vineyards are planted in Limestone soil. Springfontein's distinctive terroir, marked by a cool microclimate, sparse alkaline limestone soils, and unique hydrological and biological features, has proven its uniqueness in South African viticulture.