Morgenhof Manorhouse

Originally granted in 1692, Morgenhof was purchased in 1993 by Anne Cointreau-Huchon, who has since developed the sleepy 212 ha property into an internationally recognised estate. The winemaking French Huguenots who came to the Cape in the 1680’s came from La Rochelle, the export harbour for the brandies of Cognac. More than 300 years later, the Cointreau-Huchons, a Cognac family steeped in the history of Cognac and liqueurs – Anne can trace her family tree back to 1210 when the family was already in the business – arrived in the Cape to become the vigorous new owners of Morgenhof.

Barrel Cellar

Morgenhof is associated with the House of Gosset founded in 1584 in Champagne in the Aÿ region of France and the House of Vedrenne, established in 1919 in Burgundy, the region that boasts some of the finest vineyards and greatest crus in France. The Vedrenne range of fruit liqueurs is extensive and innovative and offers a unique choice of flavours to make delicious and original aperitifs, cocktails or puddings. Both ranges are on sale on the estate.

The Morgenhof Estate Wines are terroir-based. The estate falls in the Simonsberg appellation, an area renowned for the production of the highest quality wine grapes and wines. Winemaker Jacques Cilliers, partnered by Pieter Haasbroek as Viticulturist, is responsible for the winemaking. The Premiere Selection, the Estate’s Flagship wine, a blend of four classical Bordeaux varieties, has been highly regarded since its 1995 maiden vintage. Other top quality wines include the Sauvignon Blanc, a wooded Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon – Winner of the Fairbairn Capital Wine Show Trophy for the best Cabernet on Show last year, Merlot and Port. A festive Cap Classique completes the exclusive range of wines. Morgenhof has recently introduced an easy drinking range of four entry-level wines called Fantail – labelled with a peacock with open tail.

Wedding Chapel

My love affair with Morgenhof and its wines started in 1995. We had a superb wedding luncheon for my sister in a cool barn – a happy family gathering in a most beautiful place. And a sought after place for weddings and functions.

The white thatched buildings set against the green of the trees, the steep vineyards, people eating great food in the restaurants and on the lawns, cakes and scrumptious breakfasts in the Dame Jeanne, the Estate’s Coffee Shop. Tasting and buying the estate’s much lauded wines in the beautiful Tastevin, where visitors have a magnificent view of the formal rose garden and can experience the unique to Stellenbosch underground barrel maturation cellar.

Perfect Lunch Setting

A visit to Morgenhof is a unique dichotomy – its old buildings in the Cape Dutch style with its modern wines drawing all that is good from traditions of the past.

Madame Anne Cointreau, the owner of Morgenhof Wine Estate, has been honoured by the President of France and was recently awarded the Chevalier de la Legion D’ Honneur.

This is one of the most prestigious French awards and the county’s highest civilian honour. The award follows a distinguished 13 years of service as ambassador for France to South Africa.  Anne has also been given this award due to her enormous contributions within the local communities in promoting both French viticulture within the South African wine industry and French “art de vivre” through Clearwater, Anne’s Relais and Chateaux Lodges in the Waterberg.

Stellenbosch Winemaking Region
Jacques Cilliers – winemaker and Pieter Haasbroek – viticulturist.
R44 between the N1 and Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa.

Tel: 021-889-5510
E-mail: info@morgenhof. com
Web: www.morgenhof.com