Mulderbosch is situated in the prime Koelenhof area of Stellenbosch and is widely accepted as being one of the best white wine producers in the country, and resident winemaker, Mike Dobrovic, is one of the most talented winemakers in South Africa.
Larry Jacobs bought the farm Mulderbosch in 1989. When he acquired the 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. 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.
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 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.
Harmony is central to the philosophy of Mulderbosch, where Mike Dobrovic continues to put his unique stamp upon the quality and character of the wines which Mulderbosch produce.
Mulderbosch Vineyards consists of 48 hectares, of which approximately half are planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Specific to the Koelenhof area of Stellenbosch, is the wind tunnel effect, which cools them during the long, hot summer months.
Richard Kershaw
English winemaker Richard Kershaw joined Kanu's team as Cellarmaster at the end of 2003. It is Richard's express intention to entrench Kanu's reputation as one of the leading producers alongside sister winery Mulderbosch.
Born in Sheffield, Richard trained as a chef, before determining to qualify as a winemaker. "Surrounded by the sight and taste of fine food and wine, I decided that it was not enough for me to just imbibe. I wanted to work with wine, but needed to be making it and really understanding the whole process behind the creation of a good wine, just as I had formerly understood the business of cooking."
With this goal in mind, Kershaw worked back-to-back vintages in Chile and Bordeaux, to gain practical winemaking experience. Study then began in earnest. He went on to work at the Royal Tokai Wine Company in Hungary, and as an assistant winemaker at Weingut Herrenhof in Pfalz, Germany, before landing a job in South Africa as the assistant winemaker at Mulderbosch. This was a breakthrough for Kershaw, as the Mulderbosch winemaker, Mike Dobrovic, took much time out to encourage Kershaw in his studies. Triumphant in his wine exams and with Dobrovic's blessing, Kershaw accepted the job as chief winemaker at Nelson's Creek, Paarl, in July 2001. Fanatical about the science of winemaking, Kershaw continues studying microbiology and biochemistry in his spare time.
Audio interview with Richard Kershaw from Mulderbosch Vineyards >>
