Rustenberg Wines
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In Their Words
Rustenberg History & Location
The Rustenberg Estate was founded in 1682 and is nestled in the valley of the Simonsberg Mountain in South Africa’s premium wine region, Stellenbosch. Our rich heritage and ethos has been informed by many centuries of human influence striving to understand and work with nature to produce wines of distinct character true to their terroir, variety and informed style.
Spanning 300 years since its establishment, multiple custodians and a variety of agricultural undertakings, Rustenberg is an estate rich in heritage and history. Under current custodians, the Barlow Family, the Rustenberg team focuses on quality throughout, from the vineyards to the cellar, and in taking care of this incredible slice of the world.
The long and rich history, historic buildings, the gardens and grounds (including the conservation land and wildlife), and of course the wines, all work together to make Rustenberg Wines what it is today. We encourage all visitors to our Tasting Room to also visit our gorgeous Schoongezicht Manor House Garden, to stop and smell the roses, sit and enjoy the sound of the birds and the bees, or walk the labyrinth for some outdoor meditation.
Rustenberg Operating Hours
Wine Tasting: open Mon to Fri 9am-4.30pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun & Public Holidays 10am-3pm.
Schoongezicht Garden: open as per tasting room hours.
Rustenberg Garden: open once a year for the Rustenberg Open Weekend (check website for details).
Longbarn Plant Nursery: open for plant sales by appointment only.
*PLEASE NOTE*
We are closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. All times, prices and facilities listed are subject to change. We recommend checking latest details directly with the farm and pre-booking experiences wherever possible, to avoid disappointment.
Rustenberg Wine Tasting
At Rustenberg we make almost 20 different wines, split into three distinct ranges, so there is something to be found for every preference and style. Our handcrafted premium site-specific range includes an estate Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, made in small quantities with excellent ageing potential. The three estate wines which make up the flagship range include a Syrah, Chardonnay and Bordeaux style red blend, the John X Merriman. Finally, our large regional range comprises of a range of wines that typify the regions within which they are produced or blended from.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Tasting Room to enjoy our full range of wines, ask all your questions of our knowledgeable wine ambassadors, peruse our display of awards, and relax in the tranquillity of our farm setting.
Wine Tasting Prices
Our tastings cost R40pp for a tasting of any 6 available wines, tasting fee waived on purchase of wine. Water, cool drinks and biltong are available. Please note we can accommodate groups of up to 8 people – and recommend booking for groups greater than 4.
Rustenberg Restaurants
Please note there is no restaurant at Rustenberg however Stellenbosch is less than 10 minutes’ drive away.
Rustenberg Tours & Activities
Currently Rustenberg do not offer cellar or farm tours, however you are free to explore the estate’s Schoongezicht Gardens (please see below). Please note Rustenberg is also home to the private Rustenberg Garden. This is opened to the public once a year for our Rustenberg Open Weekend. Please check www.rustenberg.co.za/latest-news/ for the latest dates.
The Schoongezicht Garden is situated next to the Cape Dutch homestead Schoongezicht, which dates back to 1814. In 2001, a programme of restoration and regeneration began. The garden is laid out in a formal style with four distinct areas accessed by pathways and visitors can admire roses, foxgloves, salvias, agapanthus, sedum, anemones, day lilies and much more – it really a plants lover’s dream. Surrounded by a landscape of vineyards, green pastures and the majestic Simonsberg mountain, the backdrop makes this garden a magical place.
Rustenberg also runs its own plant nursery, The Longbarn Nursery, which houses many of the beautiful plants you can see in our gardens and is where the incredible estate team works its magic nurturing seedlings, making cuttings and growing new exciting additions to the garden. The plants in the nursery are available for sale to the public, by appointment only.
There is an abundance of wildlife and bird life on the farm, and you could spot a multitude of bird species – Guinea Fowl, Franklins, Fish Eagles, Buzzards, Sunbirds and more – and although much of our wildlife is nocturnal in nature (Cape Leopards, Caracals, Porcupines, Civets) you may even spot some of our smaller wild creatures like Squirrels, Cape Otters or Mongooses.
When Lucy Visited
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