Memorable Muratie

The band provided the perfect backdrop Blues music for the guests, with cool tunes provided by Gerald Clark (guitar),

Steeped in history: the exterior of the tasting room.

The tasting room interior, with its signature spider webs draped over every conceivable nook and cranny, adding to the atmosphere of this historic estate.

Muratie’s Rijk Melck chats to John Smith, after the fascinating talk about the estate’s history, which was part of the day’s proceedings.

Guests could order various meals, like the harvest platter (cheeses and cold meats), lamb shank with vegetables (melt-in-your-mouth), and samoosas and spring rolls, among others, paired with Muratie wines.

John Smith, from Somerset West, was one of the Melck family’s guests on the day.

The rambling garden on the grounds of Muratie are full of hidden gems, like this old pond, old pillars and gate posts, and magnificent trees, including 400+ year-old oak tree.

Early morning showers left glistening raindrops on these hibiscus flowers, but the sky cleared and the harvest festival visitors were blessed with gorgeous weather.

CAROLYN FROST

On Saturday morning I headed out to the Knorhoek Valley, north of Stellenbosch, for Muratie’s Harvest Festival – an annual highlight on wine lovers’ calendars, with its two-day showcase of farm living at its finest, taking place under the ancient oaks that guard this historic wine estate.

The morning started with a sampling of some of their award-winning wines, as we walked about looking at some of the ancient buildings – followed by the historic tour of the werf and the cellar, where managing director (and retired doctor) Rijk Melck shared some fascinating stories about the origin of his family’s estate.

Muratie dates back to 1685, when Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, Simon van der Stel, granted it to German soldier Laurens Campher.

Ownership of the estate took place several times in the next few centuries, with it now under the stewardship of the Melck family.

Rijk shared the richly emotive stories of powerful love affairs and friendships, of artists and wine-making pioneers, and the changing fortunes of time, all playing out under the genteel oak canopies.

Visitors to the festival enjoyed tractor rides and grape stomping, and their Farm Kitchen prepared a mouthwatering variety of traditional food offerings, while superb live music was provided by Blues musician Gerald Clark and Co.

So little has changed at this historic gem, and it offers a glimpse into the remarkable history of the greater Stellenbosch and Helderberg area.

The Melck family’s passion for preserving the estate’s centuries-old heritage is self-evident.

Muratie wines have been named after many of its extraordinary characters from the past, and the labels reflect the back story of these people, also brought to life during the history walk.

Thank you to those who made this day so memorable (a belated, and exceptional, birthday outing), especially Posy, Werner and Llewellyn, and, of course, Rijk.

READ Gerald Clark and art

The last time I’d visited the estate for this festival, was in 2020… just before Covid shut down the world – and my beloved mom had been there with me.

She was certainly there in spirit on Saturday, and it was a beautiful reminder of her lingering presence, tempering the inestimable heartsore of saying goodbye just three months ago.

Anyone who is interested in booking a private history

group tour at Muratie, paired with a meal and their wines or bubbly, can contact Muratie to arrange it.