Mulderbosch Vineyards

Mulderbosch (situated in the prime Koelenhof area of Stellenbosch) is widely accepted as being one of the best white wine producers in the country, and Mike Dobrovic, one of the most talented wine makers in South Africa.

Larry Jacobs bought the farm Mulderbosch in 1989. When this former intensive care doctor acquired the farm, the community referred to the property as "vuilplasie" meaning dirty little farm. It was terribly neglected and unfarmed, containing just a few dilapidated buildings. However, its rich soil had lain fallow for almost a century.

It was in this earth that one of the Cape's most successful partnerships turned Mulderbosch around. Winemaker Mike Dobrovic, better known as Mr Sauvignon Blanc SA, joined Larry and together they cleaned up the property and planted the first vineyards.

A cellar was later built and Mike set about creating the first wines - a Sauvignon Blanc, a Blanc Fumé and a Chardonnay. Little did they know that the wines that they would produce would attract glowing accolades and a clutch of awards, as well as a surge of international orders.

The popularity of Mulderbosch's stylish Sauvignon Blanc cited as "South Africa's most celebrated Sauvignon" by local wine guru, John Platter - placed the farm firmly on the international map. Since those early days, new homes have been built and the sloping hills and valleys of the farm are now planted with 25 hectares of neatly trellised vineyard.

In 1996 Larry sold the farm to a major Pretoria based group called Hydro Holdings. Mike stayed on ensuring that none of the magic would disappear from Mulderbosch wines. The new owners, Hydro Holdings, could not be more enthusiastic and supportive. A new, state-of-the-art bottling line was among the improvements that were immediately made to the cellar, as well as extensions to the existing facilities.

Mulderbosch Vineyards, a small but very high-profile farm, consists of 48 hectares, of which 21.67 are planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. The cellars equipment at Mulderbosch has been chosen to ensure that the grapes are pressed without excessive pumping or bruising. Although the quest for quality wines is uncompromising, the development of the farm has not been without attention to the environment, with more than half of the farm being left to indigenous vegetation and wildlife.

Specific to the Koelenhof area of Stellenbosch, is the wind tunnel effect, which benefits the vineyards, as this cools them during the long, hot summer months. The emphasis has always been, and will always remain, on quality at the expense of quantity. One of the extraordinary characteristics of Mulderbosch's white wines is their ability to age remarkably well. Small wonder that the limited quantities produced are in great demand whenever they become available.

Harmony is central to the philosophy of Mulderbosch, where cellarmaster Mike Dobrovic continues to put his unique stamp upon the quality and character of the wines which Mulderbosch produce.