Rustenberg Estate was established in 1682 when Roelof Pasman from Meurs in Germany recognised its potential for wine-growing, and named the farm Rustenburg after his home hamlet; later the spelling was changed to Rustenberg. The first record of alcohol being sold from Rustenberg was in 1724 - a Brandy which was bought by a midwife! A new cellar was built at the end of the 18th century and wine continues to be bottled in this same cellar today. In the early 1800's the estate was owned by Jacob Eksteen, who divided it and gave a section to his son-in-law, who named it Schoongezicht, but shortly sold it. The two estates reached their peak around 1812, but by mid-century recession and disease in the vineyard took their toll, bringing bankruptcy and dispossession. Reprieve came in 1892 when John X Merriman ( X for Xavier), the last Prime Minister of the Cape Colony before the formation of South Africa, acquired Schoongezicht and his brother-in-law, Sir Jacob Barry, bought Rustenberg. Together they revived the vineyards after the phyloxera devastation in 1885, grafting new vines onto American rootstocks. In 1941 Peter and Pamela Barlow bought Rustenberg and later acquired Schoongezicht in 1945, once more reuniting the original estate - the label on the bottles features the old manor house of the Rustenberg farm. Their son Simon took over from his parents in 1987, and his son Murray joined him in 2012. The Barlows have been at Rustenberg for over 80 years, the longest any one family have owned the farm. Murray was awarded the Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year in 2015 and again in 2017, the only person to do so twice. The estate nestles in the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountain, where they have 120 hectares of vines planted on rich red soils well above the valley floor, on a range of slopes which provide site-specific plots to enhance varietal characteristics. They cultivate 10 different grape varieties, but champion Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Brampton used to be their second label, but this was sold in 2010 to DGB. Rustenberg craft a comprehensive portfolio in three ranges. The Site-Specific wines typify the finest terroirs of the estate, emphasizing the apex of varietal expression. Made in small quantities these wines are well-structured and full-bodied with excellent aging potential. The Regional range typify the regions from which the grapes are sourced, each wine true to its own style. The Flagships range are an expression of the Estate and Stellenbosch's finest vineyards, blending various plots, each individually fermented. Made before a panel of Rustenberg's winemakers assisted by an international wine expert, they bring the individual components together to create word-class blends. This distinguished producer have something for everyone, and for any occasion!
www.rustenberg.co.za