Rainbow’s End Wine Estate in the Banghoek Valley
Rainbow’s End Wine Estate is situated high above the Banghoek Valley east of Stellenbosch. The vineyards climb the slopes in front of Jonkershoek Mountain to around 540 metres above sea level, making them some of the higher vineyards in the region. The mountain-enclosed valley has a comparatively cool climate that is particularly suitable for structured red grape varieties with a long ripening period.
The history of this family winery began in 1978, when Jacques Malan acquired Rainbow's End. The first vineyards were planted in 2000 and 2001, and in 2002 Jacques and his son Anton produced the estate's first wine, a Shiraz. Francois Malan joined the family business in 2005 as viticulturist, farm manager and second winemaker. In the same year, Jacques Malan campaigned for Banghoek to be officially registered as an independent Wine of Origin ward.
Today, around 23 hectares of vineyards are spread across elevations of roughly 350 to 540 metres. Deep red Oakleaf soils with varying amounts of stone shape the vineyards. Cabernet Sauvignon grows on warmer north-west-facing slopes at around 370 metres, while Cabernet Franc is planted between about 420 and 450 metres. Merlot occupies the highest north-facing sites, Syrah the cooler east- and south-facing slopes. Malbec and Petit Verdot grow in lower, particularly stony parcels.
Cabernet Franc has developed into one of Rainbow's End's most important grape varieties. The first Cabernet Franc was produced in 2005, followed by the first Limited Release bottling in 2007. Today the range includes both the classic Cabernet Franc and a limited selection. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah complement the single-varietal red wines. The range also includes Family Reserve, Banghoek Red Blend and smaller white and Rosé bottlings.
In the cellar, winemaker Anton Malan deliberately avoids following a fixed style. Each vintage and each vineyard block is handled according to its individual conditions. The grapes are hand-harvested early in the morning and individually sorted. After a brief cold maceration, fermentation takes place in open vessels, with the cap regularly punched down by hand. After fermentation, the red wines are gently pressed in a small basket press.
Malolactic fermentation and subsequent maturation take place in French oak barrels. The wines remain in oak for at least twelve months, and considerably longer for Family Reserve. They are bottled without fining or filtration. The aim is not an identical taste every year, but consistent quality that still allows differences between vintage and vineyard to be recognised.
Rainbow's End is therefore a distinctly small, family-run estate whose character is closely linked to the high-altitude sites of Banghoek. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in particular benefit from slower ripening in the cooler mountain vineyards. At Vin Africa you will find Rainbow's End as a characterful representative of one of the most exciting smaller origins within Stellenbosch.