Remhoogte Wine Estate

On a sun-drenched slope above the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, Remhoogte Wine Estate commands views that stretch from the Helderberg mountains to the distant shimmer of False Bay. The name, which translates from Dutch as "Brake Heights," dates back to title deeds from 1812, but the modern story of Remhoogte begins in 1994 when Murray Boustred and his wife Juliet purchased the 55-hectare property.

What the Boustreds found was a farm with deep roots but fallow potential. They set about restoring the existing Cape Dutch buildings, planting new vineyards on the estate's granite and clay soils, and constructing a modern cellar. The first wine — just five barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon — was made in 1995. It was modest in volume but ambitious in intent, signalling that Remhoogte would be a serious estate from the outset.

The arrival of Michel Rolland in 2002 marked a turning point. The legendary Bordeaux consultant was drawn to the estate's potential for Cape Blends — wines that marry international varieties with South Africa's signature Pinotage. Together, Rolland and the Boustreds developed three flagship blends: the Bonne Nouvelle (a Bordeaux-style red), the Remhoogte Estate Blend, and the Aigle Noir. The collaboration brought international attention and confirmed that Remhoogte could stand among the Cape's elite.

Today, the estate is a true family affair. Murray's sons, Chris and Rob Boustred, now lead operations. Chris, who studied Oenology and Viticulture at Stellenbosch University and honed his craft through harvests in Margaret River, at Chateau Fontenil in Bordeaux, and in the Napa Valley, joined as winemaker in 2007. His touch is precise but expressive, drawing the best from each block while respecting the estate's terroir.

The portfolio has grown to include standout single-varietal wines alongside the celebrated blends. The Honeybunch Reserve Chenin Blanc, wild-fermented and aged in 80% old French oak from nearly 30-year-old vines, has become one of Stellenbosch's most sought-after white wines. The Aspect Merlot, Vantage Pinotage, and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon showcase the estate's red wine pedigree, while a Carbonic Syrah and Weisser Riesling reveal a willingness to experiment.

Visitors to Remhoogte are welcomed into a family environment. Wine and food pairings, charcuterie platters, and cellar tours are offered in a setting that feels intimate rather than commercial. Walking trails wind through the vineyards, and the estate's comfortable guest accommodation allows overnight stays with mountain and ocean views. The Sir Thomas Cullinan label — a premium Merlot-Cabernet blend named after the diamond magnate who once owned the land — anchors the top of the range, connecting the estate's modern ambitions to its historical foundations.