wine@34south

The Myburgh’s forefather arrived in Stellenbosch in 1665 and named this Muldersvlei farm after the little river of his hometown in Holland. De Meye is one of the very first farms in the Cape and the Myburgh’s have been deeply involved in South African viticulture for six generations, growing some of the best grapes in the region. In the late 1990s, Jan Myburgh and his son, Philip, converted buildings over 200 years old into a cellar and began producing small quantities for their estate with the express purpose of capturing the alluring qualities of De Meye in their estate wine.

Marcus Milner, a high school buddy of Philip’s, joined the Myburgh's in this triumvirate in 1999, as winemaker. For the previous nine years, Marcus was the winemaker at neighboring Warwick. Marcus is highly regarded in South Africa, known for his intense enthusiasm and exceptional talent.

The De Meye cellar is small. They have no ambitions for a large-scale production. Theirs is a personal wine that speaks of modern vineyard management, of care in fermentation and maturation, and of judicious use of wood to add richness and balance to their wines. Adhering to strict anti-New World winemaking, Marcus is particularly disdainful of high-alcohol, over-extracted wines.

Nature rules at De Meye and they are proud of it. The only prerequisite for applying stringent environmental friendly vineyard and winemaking practices is that quality must not be sacrificed. This devotion pays off and their love for nature has only improved their top quality.

The estate has been certified by EuroGAP (European Good Agricultural Practices) for their entire farming practices including labor. Also, they are a member of the Cape Organic Producers Association for many of their other farmed produce, notably their lavender oil (their wine is not certified organic). Also a member of the Cape Organic Producers’ Association, De Meye bottled their first organic lavender oil in 2004. This fine product of nature is used for medicinal purposes, aromatherapy and in cleansing materials.

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DE MEYE CHARDONNAY 2011 un-oaked

A pleasant, well-textured unoaked chardonnay with a creamy roundness, floral aromas and flavors of pineapple, peaches and citrus zest. Very quaffable.

300 cases produced

 DE MEYE SHIRAZ ROSE 2011

Watermelon and strawberries in the nose and on the palate. A viscous dry rose that fills the mid-palate with weight while maintaining a crisp center and leaving a long finish. Nice core of spice and acidity to balance the fruit and an herbal finish.

Versatile as an aperitif or food partner.

Ripe berries and a fresh, mountainside soil aromas. Medium-body black berry dried fruits and nutmeg-type spices are well integrated in the oak. Honest varietal character, ripe but not pushy, leads to a well-rounded finish with forward fruit, balanced tannins and acidity.

1500 cases produced