Meerlust Estate, Historic Stellenbosch Winery and Iconic Rubicon Blend

Meerlust Estate is one of South Africa’s most prestigious and historically significant wine estates. Situated approximately 15 kilometres south of Stellenbosch and only five kilometres from False Bay, the estate benefits from cooling ocean breezes and evening mists that shape the character of its vineyards. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-grown grapes, cultivated on deep, well-drained Hutton and Clovelly soils that contribute to the concentration, complexity and distinctive personality of the wines. Meerlust is best known for its iconic Rubicon blend, first released in 1980, which became one of South Africa’s most celebrated red wines and a pioneer of the Cape’s Bordeaux-style wine tradition.The history of the estate dates back to 1693, when German immigrant Henning Huising settled on the property and named it Meerlust, meaning “pleasure of the sea.” Since 1756, the estate has remained in the ownership of the Myburgh family and is today managed by Hannes Myburgh, the eighth-generation custodian of this historic property. A defining moment in the estate’s modern history came when Nico Myburgh, Hannes’s father, returned from Bordeaux inspired by the region’s blending tradition. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, he planted Merlot and Cabernet Franc and, together with winemaker Giorgio Dalla Cia, created the first vintage of Rubicon in 1980. This landmark wine played a pioneering role in establishing Bordeaux-style blends as a benchmark for premium South African red wines.