Jo and Tessa Neser became the custodians of their 46 hectare farm on the Van der Stel Pass in December 2012. Both commercial lawyers by trade, they each have special childhood links to farms, flowers and the veld. Jo in particular has a passion for wine that was refined during his student years, while living on the farm L’Avenir in Stellenbosch and driving grapes to Nederburg in a bloupens Bedford truck, in exchange for a stipend, free student accommodation and wine. They decided to name their farm Waterleliefontein after discovering a dam on the farm filled with indigenous blue water lilies.

The making of premium quality extra virgin olive oil from the olives grown in their 10 hectare olive grove is a key focus at Waterleliefontein. The extra virgin olive oil is packaged in a striking Mediterranean blue tin. It is a delicious medium intensity extra virgin olive oil, with a fruity taste, grassy scent and slightly peppery finish. It is blended from the numerous varieties grown own the farm.

A vineyard with two hectares of Syrah and one hectare of Grenache Noir was planted in 2017. The first vintage of the Grenache Noir Syrah Blend (2019) was released in 2022, received great reviews and was sold out within months. The second vintage, this time a Syrah Grenache Noir Blend (2020) was released in 2023, and so far the feedback has been even better! The aim is to release the wine once it is ready to enjoy. Jo and Tessa are absolutely delighted with the results.