Achim chose the land of Haute Cabrière based on what he found stuck to the soles of his shoes. While visiting possible sites, the Haute Cabrière soils left his Levi boots covered in thick clay—something he was familiar with during his time in the Burgundy region of France where he had worn the exact same shoes in the vineyards. Soils such as these support ancient vines in France, and Achim appreciated this similar soil thousands of miles away in Franschhoek. 

The first wine to leave the Haute Cabrière cellar in 1986 was a Cap Classique. In true French tradition, a Cap Classique is named after the original landowner. More than 300 years ago, the land of Haute Cabrière belonged to a French Huguenot named Pierre Jourdan. Pierre Jourdan also happened to have planted vineyards. Steeped in history, passion and a desire to create a quality, the Pierre Jourdan range of Cap Classique wines was born, starting with the Pierre Jourdan Brut. From here, the range has come to include the Belle Rose, Blanc de Blancs and most recently, the Belle Nectar Demi-Sec. Takuan von Arnim, Cellar Master, continues to build upon the legacy of Pierre Jourdan and Achim von Arnim with each vintage, upholding the vision for a family-owned winery in Franschhoek dedicated to quality wines inspired by the regions of Burgundy and Champagne and the varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.