Rust en Vrede Estate

Rust en Vrede Estate

Stellenbosch is one of the best preserved historical areas in South Africa and its wine estates bare testimony to it wine producing legacy. Willem Adrian van der Stel was the Governor of the Cape and owned a large farm in Stellenbosch which in 1694 became known as Rust en Vrede. The farm was divided into two parts in the early 1700s and the original section remained Rust en Vrede. For hundreds of years the farm has stood its ground in the wine capital of South Africa and in 1977 the farm became the residence of the Engelbrecht family, a family whose ancestors have a history of grape growing since the 1700s, but who only became wine producers in 1977 for the first time. Jannie Engelbrecht made the first R&V wines of the modern era in 1978 and appointed Arnold as cellar master of Rust en Vrede. Since then the Engelbrecht family have specialized in producing only red wine with the focus on Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot.

Today a visit to the farm will find the original buildings which were first built in 1780, the cellarwhich was built in 1785 and the manor house which was built in 1790. The front gable of the manor house was destroyed in a fire in 1823, which is why the rebuild date of 1825 on the front gable. The estate also boasts an underground cellar which was the first of its kind for a privately owned South African winery. The cellar was designed by renowned architect Mr Gawie Faganand its perfectly temperature controlled environment is of invaluable benefit to the production and bottle maturation of the R&V unique wines. The 55 hectare estate is a remarkable example of exquisite landscaping which has made a name for itself both in South Africa and around the world.

You will also find the estate is home to the Rust en Vrede Restaurant, which was awarded the 74th Best Restaurant in the world at the Annual San Pellegrino Restaurant Awards. The original R&V cellar, which is now a National Monument, has been converted and their kitchen is placed "front and centre", which in their own words, creates an ambiance that is relaxed but vibey. They also have a proprietor or winemaker table in a private area between the cellars which can accommodate a maximum of 8 people. The team at Rust en Vrede Restaurant take pride in the fact their crockery was designed for them by well known potter, David Walters, and that handcrafted Riedel stemware was selected, to give you an experience you wont soon forget. Their menu is a combination of freshness, flavour and flair and their herbs and vegetables are sourced from their own garden. Their meat is sourced from their farm in the Kalahari Desert, which means that they control the quality of the menus that they serve. The Rust and Vrede Restaurant believe that they have the right ingredients to offer an amazing sensory experience.
The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday from19:00 to close.
For more information and early bookings please contact:
Tel: +27-21-8813757
Or email: dining@rustenvrede.com

Rust en Vrede Estate produces only 20 000 cases of wine per year of which 65% is exported to more than 30 countries around the world. They have achievements such as when President Nelson Mandela selected Rust en Vrede to be served at the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize dinner in Oslo, where he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. And when Rust en Vrede became the first South African winery to be named in the prestigious, "Top 100 Wines of the World" by US wine magazine; Wine Spectator in the year 2000.

The Englebrecht family state
"Today Rust en Vrede continues to be a fine example of what Stellenbosch is all about and we will strive to be a driving force in promoting our wines, our region and ultimately our country.
You are always welcome at Rust en Vrede and on behalf of my family and colleagues, we are looking forward to your visit."

The estate is open for visitors from Monday to Saturday, from 09:00 to 17:00
For more information please contact:
Tel: +27-21-8813881
Fax: +27-21-8813000
Or email: info@rustenvrede.com

Directions

From Cape Town:
Take N2 towards Somerset West
Turn left off N2 at first Stellenbosch sign (Baden Powell Road)
Pass Meerlust on right and turn right into Annandale Road (Total Garage on left at the turn)
Stay on Annandale, cross R44 and keep straight with R&V the last property on the Annandale Road

From Stellenbosch:
Take the R44 towards Somerset West
5kms outside of Stellenbosch, turn left towards the mountains onto the Annandale Road (just before the Mooiberge Strawberry that is also on the left)
Drive past Annandale Wine Estate, Alto, Bilton and following is R&V
R&V is at the end of the Annandale Road at the foothills of the Helderberg Mountain.