Mulderbosch Vineyards
is located on Polkadraai Road in Stellenbosch Kloof, south-west of the town of Stellenbosch. The estate vineyards lie around twelve kilometres from False Bay and benefit from cooling coastal winds. In the Polkadraai Hills, weathered granite, iron-rich Koffieklip and deeper clay layers define the sites. These conditions support even ripening while preserving freshness and aromatic clarity.
The winery was founded in 1989 and released its first vintage in 1992. Mulderbosch developed a distinctive style early on and became particularly known for Sauvignon Blanc, barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé. The estate's first rosé appeared in 1999 and was among the wines that helped establish this category more firmly in South Africa.
Not all Mulderbosch wines are made exclusively from the estate's own vineyards. The winery supplements its harvest with grapes from selected growers in different parts of Stellenbosch. This allows suitable soils and climatic conditions to be chosen for each grape variety. Some of the grapes for still and sparkling rosé wines also come from the Swartland, while the Estate Blend is produced exclusively from estate vineyards.
Chenin Blanc, traditionally also known as Steen in South Africa, plays an important role. Mulderbosch produced its first Steen op Hout in 1996 and was therefore among the early South African producers of barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc. The Old Vine Steen op Hout comes from an unirrigated bush-vine vineyard planted in 1978 on old granite soils. The grapes are whole-bunch pressed, fermented in large wooden vessels and then matured on the lees.
The white-wine range also includes Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc has been produced since the first vintage in 1992 and is focused on freshness, varietal fruit and balanced structure. With Chardonnay, only part of the wine is barrel-fermented. Extended lees ageing adds texture without masking the fruit.
Among the red wines, Faithful Hound has been a permanent part of the portfolio since 1993. The blend follows the Bordeaux tradition and combines Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot in varying proportions. The Estate Blend, first produced in 2021, places greater emphasis on the estate's own red-wine sites. Cabernet Franc forms the base and is complemented by Petit Verdot and Merlot. There is also a varietal Cabernet Franc from a single vineyard on well-drained Koffieklip soils.
Mulderbosch describes its current viticulture as increasingly regenerative. Measures include organic fertilisation, reduced water use, solar energy in the cellar and protection of indigenous vegetation. At Vin Africa, Mulderbosch offers straightforward Stellenbosch wines that combine approachable fruit with clear structure and a recognisable sense of origin.