An innovator from the start, Braam van Velden was an early champion amongst local vintners of a Claret-style blend, producing what was to be a forerunner of a Bordeaux-style blend. He launched a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cinsaut blend named Tria Corda in 1979, but by 1982 he adopted a more classic approach and replaced the Cinsaut with Cabernet Franc. Then in 1984, he created a Right Bank blend from selected barrels of the 1983 vintage, especially for the Cape Winemakers Guild auction. Merlot played the prominent role in the blend, particularly due to Braam's special bond with the varietal after he released South Africa's first single varietal Merlot in 1982. Braam used this special occasion to honour his father, David Conradie van Velden and named the wine Overgaauw DC Classic. With 2012 vintage 4th generation owner and winemaker, also David Conradie van Velden decided to pay further tribute to his predecessors by releasing the DC Classic as an Icon wine under the Overgaauw range.