The world celebrates the Malbec grape on April 17, the 12th occasion it has done so since the special day was inaugurated.
The point was initially to promote the Argentinian excellence with a variety that originated in south-west France but has become a star for the South Americans. It has subsequently become an opportunity across the world to cast light on the variety itself.
The story goes that this was the day in 1853 that Malbec was introduced in Argentina. When Phyloxera and later the devastating winter of 1956, struck in Europe, sales and plantings for Argentinian wines soared. Especially Malbec thrived in the region and became the star.
In South Africa, the variety might not be as familiar as its cousins, although it is consumed most commonly as part of red blends ironically associated with its original home of Bordeaux.
It came to South Africa in the 1920s.
Today, the variety covers just over 735ha in South Africa and ranks as one of the country’s top 20 wine grape cultivars. Statistics from the South African Wine Information & Systems (SAWIS) show that it is grown almost in every wine region from the Northern Cape to the Little Karoo. The bulk of the vines are in Paarl, Stellenbosch and Swartland.
Now, if you’re looking for ideas on where to try some home-grown Malbec, here are a few ideas with contact information. Where no hours are indicated, it’s likely the venue is open by appointment only. Phone ahead to make sure.
Durbanville
Diemersdal
The Louws of Diemersdal have been here for six generations and have a well-established reputation for innovation. The farm is situated on the slopes of the Dorstberg, with Table Mountain as backdrop. Malbec is among its vineyards, with the maiden vintage of the Diemersdal single cultivar Malbec arrived in 2015. Specialising in a farm-style fine dining, the Diemersdal restaurant is a great way to explore how the wines shape up to good food.
Open: Monday to Saturday 09:00-17:00; Sunday 10:00-15:00
Contact: 021 976 3361 or visit www.diemersdal.co.za.
Namaqua West Coast
Namaqua Wines
If you happen to be exploring the beautiful arid landscapes of the region, stop by Namaqua Wines‘ Die Keldery to try its Malbec-containing blends: Cape West Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon/Pinotage and Cellar Door Pinotage/Malbec. The grapes originate from the Olifants River Region. The winery itself has been around since 1947 and produces around 10% of South Africa’s wine. Its visitor centre – Die Keldery restaurant and wine tasting room – is a popular oasis.
Open Monday to Tuesday 09:00-17:00; Wednesday, Friday 09:00 to 22:00; and, Saturday 19:00-17:00.
Contact 027 213 3699, info@namaquawines.com or visit www.namaquawines.com.
Paarl
Druk my Niet
The 11ha boutique estate lies in the Daljosafat area. The property sports a tasting room and winery, as well as self-catering cottages built in the Cape vernacular style. The Malbec vines that supply amongst others its consistent award-winning single variety wine, were planted in 2004. Wine tasting is by appointment only, but well worth the effort even if it’s just for the views the property provides of the surrounding area.
Contact: 021 868 2393, info@dmnwines.co.za or visit www.dmnwines.co.za
Mitre’s Edge
Another small winery, Mitre’s Edge has dedicated just less than a hectare of the 18 at its disposal to Malbec. The latter was planted in 2003 and supplies fruit for the establishment’s flagship single variety wine. Wine tasting is an exclusive experience, hosted at its Cape Georgian-styled manor house by appointment only. Accommodation is also available here.
Contact: 072 266 2990, info@mitres-edge.co.za or visit www.mitres-edge.co.za.
Glen Carlou
The first sign of Glen Carlou when driving along the Klapmuts-Simondium Road is the imposing winery and visitor centre that rises at the head of the vineyards. Here, Malbec is used in its Grand Classique red blend and a single variety wine in its Collection range. After or before a wine tasting or meal at the restaurant, there’s an impressive art gallery to visit.
Open: Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10:00-17:00.
Contact 021 875 5528 or visit www.glencarlou.co.za.
Robertson
Bushmanspad Estate
Bushmanspad has made red wine its focus and taken advantage of its cool climate location against the Langeberg Mountain between Ashton and Swellendam. Malbec is one of the cultivars that thrive here, as underscored by awards. Get up close and personal with the vineyard and book one of the self-catering cottages on the farm and make it a long weekend.
Contact 023 616 2961, info@bushmanspad.co.za or visit www.bushmanspad.co.za
Stellenbosch
Bellevue
The Bottelary wine estate has been farming Malbec for some time and has had these vineyards over 20 years. The entire property is a blend of old and new, from the restored Cape Dutch homestead built in 1803 to the modern tasting room and restaurant alongside the wine cellar. Good news for families, the venue’s child friendly.
Open: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 to 17:00; and Friday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00.
Contact 021 865 2054, tastings@bellevue.co.za or visit www.bellevue.co.za.
Zorgvliet
It was only in 2016 that the farm first bottled a single variety Malbec under its Zorgvliet label. Situated in the beautiful Banghoek Valley, its wines are made by winemaker Bernard le Roux and viticulturist Hannes Jansen van Vuuren. The farm with its expansive lawns and lush gardens has a wine tasting room, restaurant and overnight accommodation. Picnics are a favourite.
Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 to 17:00; and school holidays Monday to Sunday, 11:00-17:00.
Contact info@zorgvliet.com, 021 885 1399 or visit www.zorgvliet.com.
Neethlingshof
The stately winery known for its avenue of stone pines as much as its wines uses Malbec in its a single variety expression. The cultivar is one of its anchor red varieties with the vineyards having been planted in 2003. There’s plenty of history here too, which has been captured in a special range of wines under the auspices of winemaker De Wet Viljoen and viticulturist Hannes van Zyl. Serving breakfast and lunch, Neethlingshof’s Salt Deli is just the place to spend an afternoon.
Open: Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00; Wednesday to 20:30; weekends and public holidays, 10:00-16:00.
Contact: info@neethlingshof.co.za, 021 883 8975 or visit www.neethhlingshof.co.za.
Lanzerac
This historic estate is home to a luxurious hotel and various restaurants and bars. It’s wine centre hums with activity over the weekends when visitors settle on its veranda. Malbec features in its Le General blend, but also DOK single variety wine in the Keldermeester Versameling and hails from a single vineyard block.
Open: Monday to Sunday, 08:00-19:h00
Contact: info@lanzerac.co.za, 021 887 1132 or visit www.lanzerac.co.za.
Blaauwklippen
A beehive of activity especially over weekends, Blaauwklippen offers everything from a child-friendly bike park to a deli and markets, restaurants to luxury accommodation. Despite being one of the region’s oldest wine farms, tasteful additions over the years have made it a contemporary lifestyle destination. Narina Cloete is at the helm of winemaking and looks after numerous expressions including a single variety Malbec.
Open: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00.
Contact: tasting@blaauwklippen.com, 021 880 0133 or www.blaauwklippen.com.
Swartland
Blakes Family Wines
Among the gems of Yzerfontein is the cellar of Blakes Family Wines. Veteran winemaker Andries Blake sources his fruit from across the Swartland to produce amongst others, a single vineyard Malbec. The grapes for this are sourced from a farm in Philadelphia. The cellar itself has a small tasting room and adjoins a pizza restaurant, which makes for long visits. It’s ideal for stocking up when you’re going to or coming from a holiday in the West Coast seaside town.
Open: Wednesday to Saturday, 11:00 to 18:00; Sunday, 11:00 to 16:00.
Contact: 022 451 2701, info@blakefamilywines.com or visit www.blakefamilywines.com.
Wellington
Doolhof
Just getting to this winery makes for an interesting outing. Located at the end of a gravel road that winds through steep, tree-shrouded kloofs and past a few old, secluded farms, Doolhof is worth the trip. Its Malbec vineyard is located on a rocky slope beneath Bain’s Kloof Pass, and supplies the grapes for amongst others its single cultivar wine. There’s plenty to do apart from spending time in the tasting room. Enjoy a picnic or take a stroll on its river walk.
Open: Monday to Friday, 08:30-16:00; Saturday, 10:00 to 16:00; and, Sunday 10:00-15:00.
Contact: 021 864 2805, wine@doolhof.com or visit www.doolhof.com.
Diemersfontein
The farm’s famous for its Pinotage, but its range is certainly wider than that and includes a Malbec Reserve. The wine and country estate has an elegance reflected in its guesthouse, self-catering cottages and restaurant called Hope.
Open: Monday to Sunday 10:00-16:30.
Contact: tastingroom@diemersfontein.co.za, 021 864 5050 or www.diemersfontein.co.za
