Mulderbosch Vineyards

Mulderbosch Vineyards in Stellenbosch Valley

Mulderbosch Vineyards sits on Polkadraai Road (Vlottenburg / M12 corridor) in Stellenbosch’s western hills — commonly framed for visitors under the wider Stellenbosch Valley wine-route map, with a strong Polkadraai Hills / Stellenbosch Kloof terroir identity. False Bay breezes, varied soils and sloping topography underpin a brand long celebrated for crisp whites, innovative Cap Classique and structured reds.

Founded in 1989 by Larry Jacobs with winemaker Mike Dobrovic (“Mr Sauvignon Blanc”) on a neglected former fruit farm that had lain fallow for decades, Mulderbosch shipped a maiden vintage in 1992 and quickly became an international reference for South African Sauvignon Blanc. Ownership later passed through Hydro Holdings, Terroir Capital and, from late 2018, Third Leaf Wines. Head winemaker Henry Kotzé has led the cellar since mid-2020, with Morné McGear on the winemaking team and Ferdi Coetsee managing farm and vineyard.

The early brand was also known for striking vertical labels and a willingness to try styles the Cape then underplayed — barrel-fermented Chenin, Cabernet-based rosé, and Cap Classique with Pinot Meunier in the mix.

Terroir and farming approach

Estate soils range from Malmesbury shale and Table Mountain sandstone to sandy duplex and decomposed granite. Vine rows largely face south / south-east for morning light and afternoon shade; sea breezes from False Bay (under roughly 14 km) slow ripening and preserve acidity. Bush-vine Chenin is left to its own architecture; other blocks use vertical shoot positioning. Cover crops, no herbicides on the farm narrative, Simonit & Sirch pruning, wetland wastewater treatment, IPW / WIETA / amfori BSCI accreditations and a solar-powered cellar frame the sustainability story. Fruit also comes from long-term Stellenbosch grower partners who share those codes. Virtually all wines are certified Wine of Origin Stellenbosch.

Precision farming, data and low-intervention cellar handling are part of the current messaging: grow expressive fruit so the winery can stand back. Vessels range from stainless steel to barriques and large foudres so each wine can be treated on its own terms.

The wine range

Mulderbosch markets roughly eleven vegan-friendly wines spanning Cap Classique, whites, rosé, single-vineyard and Bordeaux-style reds. Signature lines include:

• Sauvignon Blanc — benchmark New World expression since 1992
• Steen op Hout — early Cape success with barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc
• Old Vine Steen Op Hout — single-site Chenin (Rustenhof relationship / old-vine project framing)
• Chardonnay — lees ageing, limited barrel fermentation
• Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé — category trailblazer from 1999
• Cap Classique Brut — Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (full Champagne trio)
• Faithful Hound — five-variety Bordeaux-style blend drawing cooler sites and Bottelary shale where needed
• Estate Blend — Cabernet Franc–led estate red
• Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc — Block 9B on koffieklip southern slopes ~12 km from False Bay

Wines are styled for early enjoyment yet many are structured for 10–15 years of cellaring. Critical attention from Tim Atkin, James Suckling, Platter’s and others continues across the range — confirm current vintages and scores on mulderbosch.co.za.

Tasting Destination: visit experience

The public heart is the Tasting Destination — outdoor and stoep seating with vineyard views, dedicated areas on the enclosed stoep, upper/lower deck, bocce booths or under the fig tree on the lawns. Families, couples and friends are assigned their own spots so the visit stays relaxed rather than shoulder-to-shoulder at a bar.

Wine tasting (official):

• Premium tasting — choose four premium wines for R110 (includes local kalamata olives and crackers)
• Exclusive tasting — choose two exclusive wines for R110 (same snack inclusion)

Food (Two Chefs collaboration):

• Wood-fired pizza — multiple toppings (menus have listed roughly nine options in recent seasons); served roughly 12:00–16:00 (Fri–Sun pizza focus; bookings essential; phone for same-day)
• Charcuterie platter — Parma ham, pancetta, coppa; Blue Rock, Camembert, Brie; preserved figs, nuts, olives, biltong, breads (about R295 on recent menus)
• Sweet option such as salted butterscotch on vanilla ice cream when listed

Hours (official tasting destination):

• Wednesday–Sunday 10:00–17:00 for tasting and wine sales
• Platters / lunch windows typically 12:00–16:00; pizza emphasised Fri–Sun
• Closed Monday–Tuesday, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Friday
• Private functions can close the venue — check the site before travel

Booking: reservations are essential via Dineplan / the Book Now path on mulderbosch.co.za/tasting-destination; visit@mulderbosch.co.za | 021 881 8150. Cashless facility (card, SnapScan, Zapper, EFT); discretionary 12.5% service charge on on-premise bills.

Polkadraai / Stellenbosch Valley itinerary fit

Mulderbosch suits a half-day when you want benchmark whites, a relaxed outdoor tasting and optional pizza without racing into Stellenbosch town. Combine with other Polkadraai / Stellenbosch Kloof stops (Reyneke, De Toren, Saxenburg, Overgaauw corridor, Jordan / DeMorgenzon forks depending on your map) for a western Stellenbosch loop.

If you are building a white-wine day, start with Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc and Steen op Hout, then contrast with more oxidative or old-vine Chenin specialists nearby. Red drinkers should ask for Faithful Hound and the Cabernet Franc bottlings once the white flight is done.

Visit tips

• Address: Mulderbosch Vineyards, Vlottenburg (M12), Polkadraai Road, Stellenbosch, 7600
• Visit phone: +27 21 881 8150 | General: +27 21 881 8140 | info@mulderbosch.co.za
• Book tasting and lunch online ahead of weekends
• Families welcome in assigned seating areas — confirm group size when reserving
• Read the estate’s “before you visit” guidelines on the tasting-destination page
• Arrive with sun protection for lawn and deck seating; Cape UV is strong even in shoulder seasons

FAQ

Is Mulderbosch open on Mondays?

No — closed Monday and Tuesday (plus listed public holidays).

How much is a tasting?

Official premium and exclusive tastings are listed at R110 each (four or two wines respectively).

Is food available?

Yes — platters and wood-fired pizza via the Two Chefs collaboration within published lunch hours; book ahead.

Are the wines vegan-friendly?

Mulderbosch states that all its wines are vegan-friendly.

Can I play bocce?

Yes — bocce is part of the Tasting Destination seating / leisure offer when you book a visit.