Rustenberg Estate - Stellenbosch

Owned by Simon Barlow, Rustenberg is one of the world’s finest wine estates. With vineyard sites under the Simonsberg and Helderberg mountains, each piece of land is identified as to its suitability for specific grape varieties to be planted. The winemaking is exemplary resulting in some of the world’s greatest bottles at very affordable prices.

The Rustenberg farm sits in a natural amphitheatre, with the granite peaks of the Simonsberg towering behind. Vineyards producing the grapes for Rustenberg climb the rich red slopes of the Simonsberg and Helderberg, a range of slopes and aspects allowing site-specific plantings that enhance varietal characteristics. Vineyards have been rejuvenated with a mix of virus-free clones in all cultivars on the best root stocks. A small scale nursery was been started for propagation, providing available root stock for upgrading, replanting and experimentation. Controlled irrigation is used when necessary to alleviate stress and maximise quality. All grapes are hand-picked in the cool of the early morning and all vineyard blocks vinified separately, then blended for added complexity.    

Rustenberg has a wine-growing history dating back to 1682, when settler Roelof Pasman, from the wine region of Meurs near the Rhine in Germany, recognised the potential of the rich, red granite soils of the Simonsberg. The estate flourished, reaching its peak in the 1820s, only to fall victim to phylloxera and the ensuing recession in the second half of the century. Peter and Pamela Barlow purchased Rustenberg in 1940, and the regeneration of this illustrious estate began, replanting new vineyards, enlarging and updating cellars, even installing an electricity-driven crusher thanks to the new power line now serving the farm. Their son, Simon, took over running the farm in 1987 and is the force behind the 21st century Rustenberg.