Meerlust, a historic wine estate in South Africa, is commemorating the 50th anniversary of its first estate-labeled Cabernet Sauvignon, an event being marked with a "Beyond the Rubicon" anniversary tour.
This esteemed estate, known for its Bordeaux-style blend called Rubicon, has played a pivotal role in establishing South Africa as a fine-wine producer. The Rubicon, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot first introduced in the 1980 vintage, has become a standard by which many other Cape estates measure their own wines. Its first label, produced by Nico Myburgh in 1975, initially used Cabernet Sauvignon from the property’s revitalized vineyards.
As part of the celebrations, Hannes Myburgh, the current owner and son of Nico, brought the estate’s lineage to light during a retrospective tasting at Berry Bros & Rudd in London. This tasting included Cabernet Sauvignon vintages from 2021 back to 1975, and Rubicon spanning from its first vintage in 1980 to the present.
Meerlust’s roots trace back to 1693, when the land was leased by German immigrant Henning Huising. The property became a Myburgh family estate in 1756 and features a prominent Cape Dutch manor, later restored and revitalized by Nico Myburgh. Under his stewardship starting in 1959, the estate transitioned into estate bottling, culminating in the first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1978.
The inspiration for Rubicon came after Nico’s trip to Bordeaux in 1967. He recognized the potential for Bordeaux varietals in Meerlust’s terroir and began replanting with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Italian winemaker Giorgio Dalla Cia joined the team in 1978, contributing to the blend’s early development.
Despite early criticism, the Rubicon was commercially successful upon its release in 1984, leading to a trend of planting Bordeaux grapes across the region. Over subsequent years, the estate further diversified its plantings and faced the challenges of international market access during South Africa’s political isolation, yet maintained its dedication to quality.
Today, the estate utilizes four distinct terroir units for its wines: Lowlands, Quarry, River Terraces, and Compagniesdrift, each contributing unique characteristics to the blends. The viticulture practices emphasize sustainability, with attention to irrigation and soil health in response to climatic changes.
As Meerlust enters its next chapter, it does so with a firm commitment to quality, underpinned by a history of innovation and resilience. Both the estate’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Rubicon wines reflect a tradition of excellence, and the vineyard continues to adapt while honoring its rich heritage.
For more information on Meerlust and its wines, visit Meerlust.