Rustenberg is located in a valley among the stunning Simonsberg mountains in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. Its wine-growing history dates all the way back to 1682 and the estate has been producing quality wines ever since, even during some turbulent times. When the estate was hit by recession and the dreaded phylloxera vine disease in the mid-1800s, it was rescued by John Xavier Merriman (who later became Prime Minister of the Cape) and his brother-in-law Sir Jacob Barry who revitalised the vineyards and winery.
Fast forward to 1941 and Rustenberg was acquired by John and Pamela Barlow and is now run and managed by their son and grandson, making it the longest period of family ownership in the estate’s history.
The vineyards cover 120 hectares and climb the rolling hills of the Simonsberg. The varying slopes, soil types and aspects allow for site-specific planting to enhance varietal characteristics. With such attention to detail in the vineyard, coupled with hand-harvesting and modern winemaking techniques, it is no wonder that Rustenberg is so highly thought after in the wine world.