Rust en Vrede Wine Estate

Rust en Vrede Wine Estate is a historic red wine estate located on the lower slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, with a heritage dating back to 1694. Granted by Governor Simon van der Stel on March 12, 1694, the property features Cape Dutch buildings from 1780 that hold National Monument status. The Engelbrecht family acquired the estate in 1977, with Jannie and Ellen Engelbrecht restoring the property and producing the first modern-era vintage in 1978. The estate is now run by their son Jean Engelbrecht, who continues the family legacy. Rust en Vrede specializes exclusively in full-bodied red wines, focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. The estate’s unique terroir on north-facing slopes, protected by the Helderberg and Stellenbosch mountains from ocean winds, creates a warm Mediterranean microclimate ideal for these varieties. All wines are Estate grown, made and bottled. In 1988, Jannie Engelbrecht pioneered the revolutionary blend of Syrah with classic Bordeaux varieties, creating the Estate blend that has been selected four times by Wine Spectator as one of the Top 100 Wines in the World. The estate gained international recognition when President Nelson Mandela selected Rust en Vrede wine to be served at the Nobel Peace Prize dinner in Oslo in 1993. The property features a world-class fine dining restaurant housed in the original 1785 cellar, which opened in 2007 and has received numerous accolades including Eat Out Restaurant of the Year (2010). Chef Fabio Daniel serves contemporary French cuisine with Brazilian and Italian influences. The estate also offers a casual Tasting Room with Winemaker’s Lunch options, set among beautiful gardens with ancient oak trees. Current winemaker Danielle le Roux produces multiple ranges including the flagship Estate blend, Single Vineyard expressions, the prestigious 1694 Classification, and Estate Vineyard varietal wines. The wines are known for their powerful structure, complex flavours, and excellent ageing potential.