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Vergelegen Wine Estate
Since 1700 and to this day, Vergelegen (meaning "situated far away"), has been crafted by some of the world's great explorers and visionaries, who each in their own way have helped shape Vergelegen to what it is today: a world-class Estate.
With its world renowned handcrafted wines, 310 year old history and heritage, exquisite gardens and refined cuisine, it comes as no surprise that Vergelegen continues to be the choice of the discerning visitor seeking a total sensory experience. For this reason, the Estate has borne witness to many visits of heads of state and celebrities from all over the world.
Think of Vergelegen to spend quality time on your own, with your family and friends or business associates. The wine tasting centre and cellar tour, but also the Vergelegen Restaurant, the Stables Bistro and the Magical Camphor Forest Picnic are only a few of a myriad of enjoyable activities at Vergelegen.
Meerlust Wine Estate
Long recognized for producing world-class wines, Meerlust Estate has been the pride of the Myburgh family since 1756. Today, the traditional dedication to the art of winemaking continues under the guidance of Hannes Myburgh, eighth generation custodian of this seventeenth-century national monument.
Meerlust, with its historic manor house, classic wine cellar, family cemetery, dovecote and bird sanctuary is situated fifteen kilometers south of Stellenbosch, with the blue crescent of False Bay a mere five kilometers away. Wines are only made from grapes grown on the Estate which is uniquely positioned for the production of wines with exceptional complexity and character.
In the summertime, ocean breezes and evening mists roll in from the coast to cool the vineyards. The grapes ripen slowly, thus achieving full, concentrated varietal flavours. The soils consist of predominantly deep, well drained Hutton and Clovelly soil types, affording the vines excellent drought resistance and an ideal substrata for producing concentrated, complex wines.
Rust en Vrede Wine Estate
For 315 years Rust en Vrede has stood peacefully among the vineyards of Stellenbosch. Through centuries there were periods when wine was produced, but for the last 32 years our family have specialized in producing only red wine with the focus on Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot.
Many accolades have been bestowed upon the estate and some of the more memorable were when Rust en Vrede was chosen by President Nelson Mandela to be served at the Nobel Peace Prize dinner and hosting the Queen of Denmark for a lunch with my family at the Manor House. Rust en Vrede was nominated as the first South African red wine in the Top 100 Wines of the World and repeated this achieved for four consecutive years.
Today Rust en Vrede continues to be a fine example of what Stellenbosch is all about and we will strive to be a driving force in promoting our wines, our region and ultimately our country.
You are always welcome at Rust en Vrede and on behalf of my family and colleagues, we are looking forward to your visit.
Kanonkop Wine Estate
Kanonkop Estate has been described by those in the know as being the South African equivalent of a Premier Cru or First Growth.
International awards accumulated over more than a decade have gone a long way to substantiate these claims.
Klein Constantia Wine Estate
The verdant Constantia valley, home to Klein Constantia Estate, is the oldest, most enduring vineyard region in the Cape, first producing wine in 1689.
As part of the original farm that in the 18th century produced ‘Constantia’, prized throughout Europe by the leaders and aristocracy of the time, Klein Constantia has helped to reclaim its former glory by initiating the revival of this famous sweet wine.
Family owned and run, Klein Constantia’s philosophy is founded on quality rather than quantity, reflected in the wines regularly inviting accolades, both locally and internationally.
Please browse through the website, and delve into our unique and rich history to get a sense of some of the special qualities that are evident in our wines.
Hamilton Russel Winery
Hamilton Russell Vineyards, one of the most southerly wine Estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea - is located in the beautiful, cool, maritime Hemel-en-Aarde Valley appellation, just behind the old fishing village of Hermanus. The Estate specialises in producing highly individual, terroir driven Pinot noir and Chardonnay, which are widely regarded as the best in South Africa and among the best in the New World.
Founder, Tim Hamilton Russell purchased the undeveloped 170 hectare property in 1975, after an exhaustive search for the most southerly site on which to make South Africa’s top cool climate wines from a selection of noble varieties. His son Anthony Hamilton Russell, who took over in 1991 (finally buying the property in 1994), narrowed the range to Pinot noir and Chardonnay only and registered Hamilton Russell Vineyards as an Estate, committing to work only with grapes from their terroir. Extensive soil research initiated in 1994 identified 52 hectares of stony, clay-rich, shale-derived soil as optimal for the individual, origin expressive style they aim for and all plantings have now been limited to this soil type.
Anthony with winemaker Hannes Storm and viticulturist Johan Montgomery are completely dedicated to expressing the personality of the Hamilton Russell Vineyards terroir in their wines. Tiny yields and intense worldwide demand keep the elegant, highly individual, Estate grown Pinot noir and Chardonnay in very short supply.
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
This time of the year reminds me of the story of the schoolboy, who, when asked where his Dad worked, replied "No my Dad doesn't work – he's a farmer!" It seems to be assumed by many that the only time we work is during the vintage, which, admittedly, is a frantic period, but there is something to keep us busy all year long. Currently we are shepherding our vines along, trying to produce healthy and flavourful grapes come harvest time. This entails meticulous canopy management, disease control and judicious irrigation practices – all part of our farming job! What we have no control over is the weather, but this is looking good for the moment, and we haven't had the strong and damaging winds this year that have been common recently.
In the winery we are busy getting the 2010 red wines into bottle. This is a laborious job as we have to taste the wine from each and every barrel (about 500 barrels for the 2010 reds) and then make decisions on where the wine from each barrel should go. It's actually a satisfying job, especially this year as the wines look fantastic. We are doing the same with the wooded white wines, and they too are looking great. All this work requires to be completed before the new vintage, which we anticipate to begin in February next year.
No matter how busy we are, we would still love to see you in the tasting room, should you be in Stellenbosch.
Simonsig Wine Estate
Simonsig Estate upholds the legendary status of pioneering wine excellence shaped by the Malan dynasty’s devotion to quality and innovative winemaking. Named after its dramatic views of the Simonsberg Mountain, the estate is ideally situated in Stellenbosch, South Africa’s premier wine region, 45 km east of Cape Town.
Rustenberg Wine Estate
From the fine Riedel tasting glasses that bring out the bouquet of the wines you sample, to the taps in spittoons that are activated by body temperature, Rustenberg's tasting centre accents visitor comfort. The minimalist modern interior is set within a traditional framework: the long, low building was the former farm stables.
Simon Barlow's brief to the architect was simple: There are many tasting rooms in the Winelands. Too few are special. Design one for us that will make visitors gasp WOW! as they walk in. Judge for yourselves whether he succeeded. Park your car, stroll across the road into the upper level of the centre. Descend the graceful spiral staircase into the tasting area, where Elreda and Roland, will welcome you as guests to the farm.
Cederberg Wine Estate
South Africa’s most uniquely situated wine farm falls within the pristine environs of the Cederberg Wilderness Area, which lies in the Cape Floral Kingdom. Here, among spectacular rock formations and fynbos, you will find the highest altitude vineyards in the Cape. Conservation is fundamental and Cederberg Private Cellar is a committed member of the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative.
The cold climate and remote location, with its pure mountain air and water, ensures that the vines are virus free. This results in award-winning wines which show an exceptional purity of fruit. The farm has been in the Nieuwoudt family for five generations and David Nieuwoudt currently makes the wines.
Cederberg Private Cellar produces six ranges of wine – Cederberg, which includes its signature Bukettraube; Five Generations; David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner; the Waitrose Foundation sustainable range; Cape Atlantic; and the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction wines. Sanddrif holiday resort, on the banks of the Dwars River at the foot of the Wolfberg, provides the perfect base for a relaxing break.
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