Advertorial: Middelveli Wines

Middelvlei Wines

– A hidden gem in the heart of the Stellenbosch Winelands

“Those who do not honour the past, do not deserve the future.” This Dutch expression encapsulates the history of Middelvlei Wines on the outskirts of Stellenbosch where a 100 years of making fine and awardwinning wines by three generations of Mombergs was celebrated in 2019.

Middelvlei’s rich history and proud traditions started in 1919 when two brothers, Tinnie and Niels Momberg, purchased the farm for the handsome price of £3000. A year later the first juice was pressed, mainly for fortified wines. Their two sons, Stiljan (the quiet one) and Jan Bek (the NOT so quiet one), inherited the farm in 1959. The seminal moment in the estate’s history was in 1963 when Stiljan bought his cousin’s half share of the farm to become sole proprietor.

The latest generation of Mombergs running Middelvlei, Tinnie and Ben, have blended modern winemaking and viticultural techniques with tried-and-tested methods, and, together have created a potent force on the Cape wine scene. The mature vineyards are kept in prime condition, while new plantings are carefully selected to suit the terroir. The body and backbone contributed by the mature vines are complemented by fresh fruitiness derived from more recent plantings. Winemaking at Middelvlei is focussed on embracing more fruitforward wines with smoother tannins, a process starting in the vineyards and continuing in the cellar. The premium range, called Middelvlei, consists of a free-run Pinotage, a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Shiraz, a Pinotage Merlot and an unwooded Chardonnay. This range is neatly book-ended by the Momberg, a super-premium blend of the best red wines we have in the cellar that year, all matured in new French and American oak, and Rooster, an easydrinking wine. The Rooster range consists out of a Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Shiraz.

Besides making wine Middelvlei Wines is also home to a range of other unforgettable offerings. These include their popular Boerebraai lunches as well as their wine blending experiences. A destination suited to young and old. While the parents are sampling the superb wines on offer, the young ones are kept entertained having fun on the sprawling lawn or feeding the farm animals.

Follow Middelvlei Wines on Twitter (@Middelvlei_Wine), Instagram (middelvlei_wine) or Facebook for regular updates or search for the hashtag #drinkMiddelvlei. For more information visit www.middelvlei.co.za

Stellenbosch is a place that combines laid-back country lifestyle with world class wine, tourism, and cutting-edge agriculture. This is what we try to capture in the Stellenbosch Reserve wines. Wines with a sense of place, heritage, and pride.

The Stellenbosch Reserve wines were made to reflect the Stellenbosch viticultural landscape, focussing on classic Stellenbosch varieties of Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Cinsault, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines, like the place, capture an elegant balance between accessibility and seriousness.

The Stellenbosch Reserve T: 021 881 3881 E: info@thestellenboschreserve.com thestellenboschreserve.com Annadale Road, Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch Wine Routes celebrates half-century of leadership and innovation

SA’s first wine route to remain collaborative pace-setter in wine tourism

The Stellenbosch Wine Routes celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, a milestone that also marks the birth of South African wine tourism. Beyond offering the highest density of exceptional premium wines in South Africa, the Stellenbosch Wine Routes paved the way for the creation of the country’s wine tourism, an industry that contributes R7.2bn to GDP per year.

“The occasion of our 50th comes at a most opportune time,” says Stellenbosch Wine Routes chairman, Mike Ratcliffe. “The wine industry and indeed, the country, is undergoing one of its most challenging seasons and reflecting on historic achievements is important for the inspiration it provides given the work that awaits us.”

routes, with state-of-the-art wine estates, The same year, the organisation became graded hotels and event facilities having the first Southern Hemisphere wine been added for guests. More than half region to join the Porto Protocol. Here, it of member wineries have incorporated committed to accelerating its focus and food-related experiences into their wine- efforts on good environmental practice tourism offering. principles and executing projects oriented towards local sustainability. “StelToday, the Stellenbosch Wine Routes lenbosch’s success is due to the unique comprises a myriad of world-class wine combination of several critical factors. tourism encounters in addition to wine These include the quality and number of tastings. From wine safaris to award-win- wineries; the beauty of the surrounding ning gourmet affairs, the Stellenbosch landscape, collaboration; and, availability Wine Routes justifiably earns its reputa- of cultural tourism that augments wine tion of being the biggest visitor attrac- tourism,” says Ratcliffe. tion outside of Cape Town. Every year, hundreds of thousands of guests tradi- The Stellenbosch wine region has retionally visit the area, which is a staple of ceived the most wine awards per capita trips to the Western Cape – for both local than any other of its kind in South Africa, and international guests. underscoring a link between quality of wine and successful wine tourism. In 2019, the Stellenbosch Wine Routes Since its first step 50 years ago, the became a founding member of Visit “As the first and largest wine route in the footprint of wine tourism has extended Stellenbosch, the town’s official Destina- country, Stellenbosch Wine Routes will to wine-producing regions in five prov- tion Marketing Organisation. This joint continue to lead the way. Included in our inces with 23 recorded wine routes. The EXIT 47 initiative is unifying Stellenbosch tourism mandate is challenging local, provincial development of wine tourism in South EXIT 39 STELLENBOSCH WINE ROUTES stakeholders under one umbrella with and national government on issues that Africa has also led to the transforma-KLAPMUTSKOP EXIT 32 GREATER SIMONSBERG STELLENBOSCH BERG DE MEYE the objective of growing the tourism and affect our members and the industry,

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tion of the rural landscape in these wine GREATER SIMONSBERG CONSERVANCYEXIT 29 HELDERBERG STELLENBOSCH VALLEY BOTTELARY HILLS VILLIERA KOELENHOF LIEVLAND experience economy in Stellenbosch for the benefit of all communities. collectively addressing climate change as

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a member of the Porto Protocol and driving the social agenda,” Ratcliffe says. “Stellenbosch recognises the leadership role it must play on climate change and socio-economic issues too. We are committed as the wine and tourism ecosystem of Stellenbosch to drive environmental protection and social cohesion and foster good principles among all our stakeholders.”

On the effects of the pandemic, Ratcliffe says it demonstrated once again how in times of crisis communities pull together. The industry itself has faced seemingly insurmountable crises in the past and risen to meet the challenges every time. Vinpro estimates that more than R2.5bn in revenue was lost between March and July 2020, with most losses incurred at the tasting room. “The impact to profitability, employment and the financial stability of the communities that are dependent on this sector cannot be underestimated either,” says Ratcliffe.

Quick off the mark when COVID-19 arrived on our shores, Stellenbosch rallied fervently to support economically vulnerable people living in and around the winelands. Among the initiatives was Stellenbosch Unite, through which last year it fed 690 000 people with 207 000 litres of soup and 36 800 food parcels. This year, it co-ordinated the donation of hundreds of care packages to staff across all roles in the medical sector, including nurses, cleaners, porters, security guards, administrative officers, clinic workers and support staff. Stellenbosch was also the first destination in sub-Saharan Africa to implement World Travel and Tourism Council-approved stringent health and hygiene safety protocols for the wellbeing of staff and guests. “As a wine route, we continue to put a firm focus on ensuring our wine and tourism eco-system continues to implement these protocols consistently for the safety of our staff and guests,” Ratcliffe says.

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Pictures: 1) Stellenbosch Wine Route founders Neil Joubert (Spier), Frans Malan (Simonsig) and Spatz Sperling (Delheim) 2) Many members offer pairing tastings 3) One of many Stellenbosch Wine Festivals held over the years 4) SWR hosting bloggers 5) SWR is divided into five popular sub-routes 6) Regular summer Street Soiree tastings organised by SWR 7) Frans Malan of Simonsig Wine Estate - one of the founders of Stellenbosch Wine Routes 8) The wine route offers many modern tasting rooms, like Spier 9) Mike Ratcliffe (current Chairman of Stellenbosch Wine Routes)

Stellenbosch was founded by Simon van der Stel.

1925

Jan van Riebeeck, the first governor of the Cape, planted a vineyard in 1655, and on 2 February 1659, the first wine was made from Cape grapes. .

1679

Professor Perold successfully crosspollinated Pinot Noir with Hermitage (Cinsaut) to develop South Africa’s own grape variety, Pinotage.

1971

The Stellenbosch Wine Routes, founded by Frans Malan (Simonsig), Spatz Sperling (Delheim) and Neil Joubert (Spier) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2021. It is not only the oldest but also the biggest wine route in South Africa.

SWR Founder members and the Cape Estate Wine Producers Association introduced the Wine of Origin System confirming integrity and regionality of wines.

The first Wine Festival was hosted with the Stellenbosch Fynproewersgilde, to promote the food and wine culture of Stellenbosch.

2001

New Stellenbosch Wine Festival format was introduced and held at Paul Roos Gymnasium with great success.

2002

The first SWR Street Soiree event was held in Church 2011 street. This winetasting-in-the-street event is still a regular favourite presented in summer months.

2014

Stellenbosch Wine Routes opened a visitor centre in the historic heart of Stellenbosch.

Wins Drinks Business Wine Tourism Awards – “Best promotional body” in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

SWR founders: Neil Joubert, Frans Malan, Michael “Spatz” Sperling.

SA’s first ever Cap Classique, Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, was released at R3 per bottle. It was the most expensive wine on the market in South Africa in 1971.

1973

1981

The first Stellenbosch Wine Routes road sign was erected on SWR’s 10th birthday.

SWR went through a major restructure to include primary producers. The year 2002 also marked the start of a 12-year long sponsorship by American Express.

2013

Stellenbosch Wine Routes Foundation started to support children of agri workers (working on SWR member farms), studying at the Stellenbosch University with top-up grants. Close to a R1M has been paid to date.

2019

Stellenbosch Wine Routes becomes the first Southern Hemisphere region to sign the Porto Protocol. It also became a founder member of the new Visit Stellenbosch tourism organisation. 2021 Stellenbosch Wine Routes celebrates its 50th birthday.