One
of the Cape’s historic wine estates, Rustenberg was originally
established in the late 17th Century. The original property was
divided in two in the 19th century, and it eventually succumbed to
the twin perils of economic recession and phylloxera. In 1892 the
two properties were purchased (one by John X. Merriman, the other by
his brother in law Jacob Barry). The farms were revitalized, the
vineyards replanted on phylloxera-resistant American rootstocks, and
wine was made again. The two parts of the estate were reunited in
1941 when they were purchased in 1941 by Peter and Pamela Barlow,
parents of current owner Simon.
Rustenberg is a beautiful estate to visit, with a
substantial 160 hectares of vineyards on the slopes of the
Simonsberg and Heldeberg, with their characteristic red soils.
Annual crush here is an impressive 1000 tons, which is a lot for
such a high quality operation.