The 344-year-old wine farm in Stellenbosch which produces the world’s top Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines

South Africa • 8 November 2026 • Kirsten Minnaar

Located in the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountain, Rustenberg Wines is one of Stellenbosch’s oldest wine farms, with a history dating back to 1682.

It remains under the ownership of the Barlow family, which has owned the property since 1941 and now runs the estate across three generations.

Its vineyards cover 120 hectares and produce a portfolio of almost 20 wines, including its flagship Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Rustenberg was founded in 1682 after German settler Roelof Pasman recognised the area’s potential for growing grapes.

Pasman came from Meurs, near the Rhine, and named the farm Rustenburg after his home hamlet. The name was later changed to Rustenberg.

By 1691, he had planted 5,000 vines. Wine production grew over the following decades, with 3,000 cases produced on the farm by 1781.

Production more than doubled towards the end of the century, which prompted the construction of a new cellar.

The property was divided in the early 19th century by its owner, Jacob Eksteen. One section retained the Rustenberg name, while the other became Schoongezicht.

Both properties experienced difficulties during the mid-1800s when an economic downturn and the spread of vine disease left the farms in financial trouble.

They were revived in 1892 when John X Merriman, who later became the last Prime Minister of the Cape, bought Schoongezicht. His brother-in-law, Sir Jacob Barry, acquired Rustenberg.

The two men replanted vineyards using disease-resistant American rootstock and helped restore wine production. Rustenberg has produced wine continuously since 1892.

Peter and Pamela Barlow bought Rustenberg in 1941. Peter acquired Schoongezicht in 1945 and rejoined the two properties.

He restored historic buildings, developed the farm’s agricultural operations and renovated the winery. After his death in 1975, Pamela continued running the estate for 12 years.

Their son Simon and his wife, Rozanne, took over in 1987. Simon built a new winery and replanted many of the vineyards, while Rozanne restored the Schoongezicht Manor House Garden.

Their son Murray joined the family business in 2012 after completing a master’s degree in oenology at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

He still oversees much of the winemaking and marketing, while Simon remains involved in the vineyards and property maintenance. Murray’s wife, Tammy, also joined the business in 2015.

The Barlow family has now owned Rustenberg for more than 85 years, the longest period any one family has been responsible for the estate.

Rustenberg, as part of the Ida’s Valley heritage area, was declared a Grade 1 National Heritage Site in 2004.

The estate and its wines today

Murray Barlow with the Straw Wine grapes

Rustenberg covers 880 hectares on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain. Of this, 120 hectares are under vine, while 200 hectares consist of pastures and farmland used for cattle. The rest includes historic buildings, gardens and conservation land.

The estate grows nine grape varieties, with its vineyards positioned across different slopes and aspects of the mountain. This allows the team to select specific sites for different varieties.

Rustenberg is also rejuvenating older vineyard sites with virus-free vines imported from France. Some historic sites dating back to the 1800s and 1900s are being replanted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

All grapes are harvested by hand, usually in the early morning. Individual vineyard blocks are fermented separately before being blended to create the final wines.

The estate uses both traditional winemaking methods and modern equipment. Oaked wines are aged in barrels, most of which come from France, while stainless steel tanks are used where oak is not required.

Cellarmaster Murray Barlow leads the winemaking team, which collectively has more than 110 years of experience.

Rustenberg’s site-specific range includes Five Soldiers and Peter Barlow. These wines come from individual vineyard sites and receive additional attention in the cellar.

This includes longer ageing in newer oak barrels. They are produced in smaller quantities and are designed for extended ageing.

Rustenberg’s two flagship wines are its John X Merriman Bordeaux-style red blend and its barrel-fermented Stellenbosch Chardonnay.

The John X Merriman is a blend of different vineyard sites, while the Chardonnay is made from selected Stellenbosch vineyards. Both undergo careful blending and further develop with bottle ageing.

The regional range includes wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and unwooded Chardonnay. It also includes rosé and fortified wines.

An award-winning wine farm

Rustenberg has received several industry awards over the years. In 2015, it was named Most Successful Producer of the Year at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Awards.

Murray Barlow won the Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year award in 2015 and 2017. He is the only person to have won the award twice.

Beyond winemaking, the estate also offers visitors access to its public Schoongezicht Garden and tasting room. The garden features a restored historic layout, a labyrinth and a lily pond.

The farm also has a private garden around the Barlow family’s manor house, which opens to the public once a year during its Open Garden Weekend.

Rustenberg’s wider agricultural operations include beef cattle, beekeeping and conservation. The property is home to indigenous plants and wildlife, including porcupines, duikers and Cape leopards.

A large part of the estate is within the Greater Simonsberg Mountain Conservancy, which supports conservation across the area.

The farm also hosts film and photography productions. Its locations have been used for international productions, including Netflix’s Redeeming Love and Starz’s Outlander.