Winemaking

Wine has been produced and sold off Rustenberg since 1724, and for an uninterrupted period since 1892. The first record of wine being sold off the property can be found in the form of a receipt for brandy sold to Maria Buisset, in 1724. Officially a midwife, it seems that Maria Buisset, the wife of a surgeon, had specialized medical knowledge herself, and practiced as a doctor and surgeon too. Whether the Brandy bought from the farm was to be used as an after-dinner drink, or to anaethetize patients, is not clear, and our imaginations are all that can be used to deduce the purpose of it.

Since then, winemaking at Rustenberg has come very far, and although our winemaking team still stays true to traditional methods and styles, we have implemented many modern improvements and advancements. All our oaked wines are aged in Oak Barrels, most being from France, but with some small batches and experiments in American Oak and other European Oak Barrels. We use stainless steel tanks as storage fermentation vessels where oak is not utilised. We make use of modern machinery to assist our processes, including pneumatic presses, steam barrel cleaners, and our grape sorting machine, although all of these technological advantages are nothing without the care and experience of our great winemaking team. Headed by Cellarmaster, Murray Barlow, the winery team collectively has over 110 years of experience, which shows through in the quality of the wines produced.

With a long and very proud history of producing exceptional wines, Rustenberg’s winemaking style is simple: Produce quality wines true to the style of the Estate and the brand.