Muratie

This week's post is a special one for me as it is about one of my absolute favourite vineyards in Stellenbosch. This farm is so rich with history, I don't know where to start.....

Ok so lets start in 1653 when the first slaves were brought to the Cape by the Dutch East India Company. These slaves predominantly originated in Asia and Madagascar. Many of the local Khoe individuals were also enslaved, particularly woman and children. It was during these times that the Dutch captured a Portuguese ship coming from Guinea. On this ship was a young woman who became vitally important to Muratie's founding. This woman bore a daughter named Ansela. Back in those days, your family name was given to you, and her family name became "van de Caab" ("from the Cape"). 

From very early on in her childhood, Ansela van de Caab worked in the newly built Castle and market square. Once she reached adulthood, she met Laurens Camphor, a German soldier and they fell in love. Although it was frowned upon to enter into a relationship with a Khoe woman at that time, Laurens Campher married and had three children with the love of his life, Ansela after her emancipation in 1699. In 1685, the Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel gave Muratie's land to Laurens Campher who started to produce wines, with the help of his wife and descendants. Today, it is owned by the Melck family who are instrumental in telling the story of the farm. The original homes and wine cellar are still in use. The tasting room houses antique furniture reminiscent of the 17th century and the walls are adorned with cob-webs giving it a unique and some-what creepy feel.

On to the wine. Each wine is given a name of a member of the family that contributed to its production/founding. For example, there is a bottle named after the farms female founder, Ansela van de Caab. This wine is a blend between Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Fermented in French Oak barrels for 16 months, this blend is highly complex, dry and unassuming at first but after the first sip, you cant but finish the bottle. My second favourite is the Lady Alice Rosé MCC. Named after Lady Alice Stanford, an owner of the farm in the early 20th century, this 100% Pinot Noir based MCC was fermented in concrete tanks for two weeks and results in a very light and flavourful wine, perfect for a special occasion.

Although I have only mentioned two wines, there are many more fabulous wines (especially red) available at this wine farm and it is definitely worth a visit!