Marianne Wine Estate

On the slopes of the Simonsberg mountain in Stellenbosch, where ancient granite soils meet the warm African sun, a Frenchman's dream of uniting the Old and New World of wine took root in 2004. Marianne Wine Estate was born when Christian Dauriac -- whose family owns three wine estates in the prestigious appellations of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol in Bordeaux -- visited South Africa in 2002 and was immediately captivated by the potential of this 32-hectare property in the Simonsberg valley. The name Marianne, an enduring symbol of the French Republic, reflects both the estate's Gallic heritage and its founding ideals of liberty and the pursuit of perfection.

Dauriac's vision was clear from the outset: to combine French savoir-faire with South African terroir to produce wines of depth, structure, and elegance. He enlisted the legendary Bordeaux consultant Michel Rolland to guide the early vintages, establishing a winemaking programme built on manual harvesting, meticulous grape selection, and ageing in French oak and acacia barrels. The result was a range of powerful, character-driven wines that earned critical acclaim from the start, with the flagship Desirade -- a Bordeaux-inspired blend -- achieving a coveted 5-star Platter rating and the Floreal becoming the estate's icon wine for special occasions.

Today, winemaker Jos van Wyk continues the tradition of French-South African synergy. Jos grew up in Stellenbosch, graduated in oenology, viticulture, and chemistry from Stellenbosch University in 2010, and earned his Master's degree at Montpellier SupAgro in France and the University of Palermo in Sicily. This global education, combined with his deep understanding of the Simonsberg terroir, allows him to craft wines of natural, minimal-intervention character -- powerful reds with outstanding ageing potential alongside fresh, aromatic whites.

The 24 hectares under vine are planted predominantly to Bordeaux red varieties -- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz -- alongside Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Pinotage, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Grenache Noir. Two state-of-the-art boutique wineries on the property allow Jos to handle each parcel with precision. The wine range spans from the everyday Rose and Sauvignon Blanc to the mid-tier Germinal and varietal reds, culminating in the prestigious Desirade blend and the cellar-worthy Floreal.

Marianne is far more than a winery. The estate operates as a 4-star guesthouse with several distinct accommodation options: The Lofts among the trees, the elegant Manor House, L'Ermitage, and self-catering units -- all set against panoramic views of the Cape Winelands. The Floreal Brasserie serves food-and-wine-focused cuisine in a relaxed setting alongside a lily pond, with views stretching across the mountains and vineyards. A wine club established in 2014, a gallery, a jungle gym for children, and function facilities for weddings and corporate events complete the estate's offerings.

The Tasting Room is open daily from 11:00 to 18:00, offering guided experiences including the popular Wine and Biltong tasting, where three red wines and two whites are paired with beef, kudu, and springbok biltong. Sunday wine sets with tapas are also available. The combination of French winemaking heritage, warm South African hospitality, mountain-slope vineyards, and elegant accommodation makes Marianne a destination that bridges continents with every glass.