Mooiplaas Estate

"It's all good" is a pretty accurate summary regarding this jewel high up in the Bottelary Hills - written by taster Mare Meehan from Dublin, in the visitors book.

The emphasis always will be on producing exceptional quality wines - that it definitely does, thanks to passion and striving for perfection, as well as love for mother nature.

But the Mooiplaas experience will remain one you treasure for long afterwards, whether the appeal lies in the "off-the-beaten track" feel, the beautifully renovated stable that serves as a tasting room, the humble, still working and fully involved family popping in for a chat, tasting the home-grown olives or just enjoying being on a real farm, the way it used to be.

The history of the farm dates back to the year 1704 when governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel granted a farm to the messenger of the court Christoffel Haazewinkel. He duly called his farm Hazendal. Mooiplaas was originally part of Hazendal farm (Hazendal, as it is still known today, is a well known farm in Bottelary). Mooiplaas as it exists today was formed in the 1800's when Jan Christoffel Bosman became the first owner. Nicolaas Roos acquired the property in 1963 and was later joined by his sons, Tielman the viticulturist and Louis the winemaker.

The Cape Dutch homestead is depicted on the label of the estate. The homestead is an example of the H-shape with a neo-classical gable with the date 1833 engraved. On 20 October 1989 the house was declared a national monument by the then minister of National Education, Gerrit Viljoen.

Mooiplaas, meaning beautiful farm, lies along the northern slopes of the Bottelary Hills, which stretch from east to west between Stellenbosch and the Cape Peninsula. Bottelary Hills is a ward of the famous Stellenbosch wine district.

Mooiplaas is situated off the M23 Bottelary Road and neighbours farms such as Kaapzicht, Zevenwacht, Jordan, Hazendal, etc.

It is likely that wine has been made on Mooiplaas since the later part of the 19th century. A few years ago a number of brochures advertising fortified wines of Mooiplaas was found in the attic of the main homestead. They date from the era between the two world wars, when the Gouws family inhabited the farm. However it is more likely that wine was made on Mooiplaas much earlier than this.

From 1963, when the farm became the property of the Roos family, wine was made and sold in bulk to wholesale merchants. Nicolaas Roos was the winemaker up to 1981, when his son Louis assumed the responsibility. With South Africa's re-admittance to international markets after 1992, the demand for South African wine increased strongly. The first wine bottled under the Mooiplaas estate label was the Cabernet Sauvignon 1995.

All wines sold under the Estate label are grown, made and bottled on the estate. There are currently 4 wines in our range, i.e. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Mooiplaas Nature Conservancy was established in 1995 and covers approximately 50 hectares. The main goal is to conserve the Renosterveld Fynbos, of which there is only 1% left in the Western Cape today. Renosterveld is of international concern for its medicinal values. Many animals also depend on Renosterveld, as it forms a large part of their natural habitat.

Mooiplaas also grows, makes and bottles its own olives from the 32-year old olive trees lining the dusty road to the farm.