The history of the family winery is closely connected with Frans Malan. He took over the land from his parents-in-law in 1964 and had a modern cellar built for temperature-controlled fermentation. The first wine under the Simonsig name appeared in 1968. It was a Chenin Blanc, a variety still generally called Steen in South Africa at the time. The estate's first Pinotage followed two years later.

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The year 1971 was especially significant. After a trip to Champagne, Frans Malan produced Kaapse Vonkel, the first South African sparkling wine made using the traditional method with secondary fermentation in bottle. In the same year, he was among the co-founders of the Stellenbosch Wine Route and opened Simonsig to visitors. The estate therefore helped shape both the development of South African Cap Classique and wine tourism around Stellenbosch.

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Today Simonsig is run by the second and third generations of the Malan family. Johan and Francois Malan continue to serve as directors, while Michael Malan has held responsibility as Cellar Master since 2022. The family combines long experience with a viticultural style intended to emphasise freshness, varietal character and differences between individual Stellenbosch sites.

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The estate's soils consist mainly of weathered granite, sandstone and shale. Some parcels also contain iron-rich Koffieklip formations and red Hutton soils. The Atlantic influences the climate through cooling air currents, while long, dry summers allow even ripening. Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon are among the most important grape varieties. All grapes from the estate's own vineyards are harvested by hand.

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Kaapse Vonkel remains the estate's best-known wine and is now offered in various styles. The collection includes the classic Brut, a Brut Rosé, the more fruit-driven Satin Nectar bottlings and Cuvée Royale, made predominantly from Chardonnay. Secondary fermentation in bottle produces fine bubbles, fresh fruit and, depending on maturation time, notes of yeast, pastry and nuts.

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Simonsig also displays broad stylistic diversity in its still wines. The range includes Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah as well as blends such as Tiara and Frans Malan. Single-vineyard wines such as Redhill Pinotage, The Garland Cabernet Sauvignon and Langbult Steen place greater emphasis on selected vineyards. At Vin Africa you will therefore find both the historic Kaapse Vonkel and characterful Stellenbosch wines from the varied sites around the Simonsberg.