Meerlust Estate
is located south of Stellenbosch, only around five kilometres from False Bay. Cooling sea breezes and evening mists influence the vineyard climate, while weathered granite soils with clay content give the wines structure and character. The name Meerlust can loosely be translated as “pleasure of the sea”.
The history of the estate began in 1693 with the German immigrant Henning Huising. Meerlust has been owned by the Myburgh family since 1756 and is now managed by the eighth generation. The historic ensemble of manor house, dovecote and wine cellar was declared a South African national monument in 1987.
Meerlust is particularly well known for Rubicon. The classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot was inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux. Initial trials were carried out in 1978 before Rubicon was officially released with the 1980 vintage, helping to shape the style of South African red blends for decades to come.
Alongside Rubicon, Meerlust produces varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir. Chardonnay is the estate's only white wine and, like all of its red wines, is made exclusively from grapes grown in the estate's own vineyards. Depending on the wine, maturation takes place in French oak and combines ripe fruit with spice, clear structure and good ageing potential.
Meerlust stands for classic, origin-driven Stellenbosch wines that combine tradition with precise cellar work. Discover selected Meerlust wines at Vin Africa and get to know Rubicon, one of South Africa's best-known red blends.