Meerlust: 8 Generations and the Rubicon

The Myburgh family has made wine here for 8 generations since 1756. Italian winemaker Giorgio Dalla Cia created the Rubicon Bordeaux blend -- one of SA's greatest wines. The old cellar has a cask dated 1776. On the road between Vergelegen and Stellenbosch, overlooking False Bay.

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1 Find the Bordeaux Blend That Changed South Africa Wine · Price: moderate

   Nico Myburgh came back from Bordeaux in 1978 convinced of something crazy: that his family's estate 5km from False Bay had the same climate as the Médoc. He spent two years getting the blend exact. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Released it in 1980 as Rubicon—after the river Caesar crossed when there was no going back. It became one of South Africa's greatest wines. The 2022 and 2020 both scored 96 points from Tim Atkin MW. Book the Seated VIP Tasting at tasting@meerlust.co.za (R150 per person). They pour the current vintage Rubicon PLUS an older one. Ask about the False Bay influence—those afternoon Atlantic breezes that define the wine's elegance instead of Stellenbosch's usual power. Standard tasting is R75, includes Rubicon but not the older vintage. Still worth flying for.

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2. 2 Touch 330 Years of One Family History · Free

   Eight generations of Myburghs since 1756. The manor house was built in 1776—same year as American independence. It's a declared national monument now. Walk the palm and oak avenue up to the Cape Dutch gables. The family cemetery is on the grounds. Generations of Myburghs rest here between the vines they planted. The dovecote is the most photographed structure on the estate. Find it in the rose gardens. Open during tasting hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm. If the grounds tour isn't running, ask the tasting room for photos of the manor's history. They'll explain why it earned monument status.

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3. 3 Decode the Italian Connection History · Free

   Here's the twist: the winemaker who created Rubicon wasn't French. He was Italian. Giorgio Dalla Cia arrived in the 1970s and spent 45 years at Meerlust perfecting a Bordeaux blend. He died in 2024. The name 'Rubicon' refers to Caesar crossing the river in 49 BC—the irreversible decision. Nico Myburgh chose it because making a Bordeaux blend in South Africa was equally bold in 1980. Ask the staff about Giorgio and why an Italian created South Africa's benchmark Bordeaux wine. The succession story matters too—current winemaker Wim Truter studied in France, Italy, and Spain. Ask how he's maintaining 40 years of style after Giorgio. If they're busy, just ask: 'Was the first winemaker French?' Watch their faces.

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