Rietvallei Estate comprises 370 hectares of which 180 hectares are planted with vineyard. Plans are to expand the vineyards to 200 hectares during the next couple of years.

At the moment the estate is still planted with predominantly white noble cultivars covering 75%, with red being only 25%. Apart from the traditional Red Muscadel, Rietvallei is also planted with the following classic noble cultivars, namely Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Colombar, Rhine Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Pinotage, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Ruby Cabernet, Tinta Barocca and Pinot Noir. Rietvallei's famous 1908 Red Muscadel vineyard is in the form of bush vines and is approximately one quarter of a hectare in size.

The trellised vines, planted in deep fertile soils, climb the cool south-eastern slope of the Langeberg foothills where they nestle in the shade, protected against the afternoon sun.

Because of the cold winters, these vines enjoy a deep winter sleep in the cold earth. The winter dormancy is essential for the vines to recover, so that in summer they can produce fine, healthy grapes. When the snow melt in the spring, water from the clear mountain streams is sometimes used to irrigate the vines.

Away from the pollution of the city, these vines thrive in the crisp clean Karoo air. Often, in the early morning, the vines are shrouded in mist and from the distant Indian Ocean comes a breeze to further cool the grapes, thus allowing them to ripen slowly and develop their summer sugars.

The soil types on the farm are well drained and rich in lime, with a high pH, yielding good acidity in the grapes. The soil types vary from red calcareous clay-loam, to deep calcareous loam, to rocky and even also to sandy alluvial soil. Rietvallei soils have the remarkable capacity to promote concentrated sweetness in the grapes and this enhances the flavour and aroma of the noble cultivars, which are picked at lower sugar levels.