This tranquil farm and winery is named after the De Meye River in Holland. The farm was established by the the first Myburgh pioneer way back in 1665. Today the De Meye label is designed around the Myburgh Family crest.
The present owner of De Meye is Jan Myburgh, who is the fifth generation to farm in this area. He started farming with vines over 30 years ago. Grapes were then sold to Nederburg and Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery. In 1997, it was decided to renovate some of the old farm buildings and make their own wines.
De Meye is situated in a Stellenbosch, sub region known as Greater Simonsberg, South Africa's most prestigious wine making area.
The total size of the farm is 150 hectares, of which 60 hectares are planted to vineyards and 20 under fruit trees. The grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinotage and Chardonnay. Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc are also grown on De Meye, but these grapes are sold off to different neighbouring wineries. The farm has recently been Eurepgap Certified, which stands for European Good Agricultural Practices.
Marcus Milner
Marcus was born in Constantia, Cape Town in 1968, and was educated at Diocesan College in Rondebosch. Once he completed his schooling, he went to England and Ireland where his family originates from. Once there, he started working on a stud farm in Newmark Suffolk, where they prepared yearlings for the Newmarket Sales. Afterwards he traveled to Hungerford Berkshire where he was employed to advise trainers as to what race their horse was best suited for in various parts of the country. This rating service was linked to Prestel. During his stay in England he also managed to do a considerable amount of cycling as well as cycling through the whole of Europe on three occasions.
In 1990 he returned to Stellenbosch and started working at Warwick Wine Estate, assisting Norma Ratcliffe in the cellar. In 1992 he worked the harvest in Alsace for Hugel & Son. In 1994 he was appointed as winemaker at Warwick. The 1994 harvest at Warwick, produced a Double Gold at Veritas, for the Cabernet Sauvignon and a Gold for the Merlot. The Cabernet Franc was awarded a Five Star Rating by The South African Wine Magazine in 1998. At the end of 1998, he worked the harvest at Flora Springs in Napa, California. At the Tri-Nations Challenge between South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in 1999, his Warwick Chardonnay won the tasting.
Marcus joined old school friend, Philip Myburgh, at De Meye in 1999, taking his assistant, Aby Bodlani with him. After having been there for two years, his first blend, the TRUTINA, was awarded a Gold at the Michelangelo International Tasting Awards.
A few years later and Marcus is still doing what he does best in the small cellar at De Meye!
Audio interview with Marcus Milner from De Meye Wines >>
