The history of Bellingham began in 1693 when the land was purchased by Gert Janse van Vuuren. Married to a French Huguenot, they called the land Bellinchamps – French for Pretty Fields. Bernard Podlashuk replanted the Bellingham vineyards and brazenly set about introducing a fresh air to the country’s wine offering. In 1957, he introduced the first wine made from Shiraz grapes. Until today, Bellingham‘s Syrah is loved by consumers around the world.