Lanzerac is truly a landmark in and around Stellenbosch: This is partly due to its age, as the property dates back to 1692, making it the third oldest wine farm in the area. On the other hand, Lanzerac also deserves its reputation as an icon thanks to its excellent wines and its special Pinotage history.
Let's start with the story: Only 13 years after the town of Stellenbosch itself was founded, Isaac Schrijver received 17 hectares of land from the governor Simon van der Stel (<- fun fact: hence the name STEL-lenbosch of course) that he also gave directly planted with vines. He named his wine farm "Schoongezicht" - i.e. beautiful view, which fits perfectly with the still breathtaking landscape and nature in the middle of the Jonkershoek Valley. The old farm has been renovated and expanded over the years, with the iconic Manor House from 1830 with its gable being a highlight of Cape Dutch architecture - and which still stands today.
In 1920, a woman, Elizabeth Catherina "Kitty" English, purchased the Schoongezicht wine farm and initiated fundamental changes, starting with a name change: Schoongezicht became Lanzerac. As is so often the case (take a look at the history of the wineries here), love was again involved, as rumor had it that Mrs. English had named the winery after the French general Charles Lanzerac... It wasn't just the name that was new , but in her 9 years as owner, Mrs. English transformed the property into one of the most modern wineries on the Cape, laying the foundation for the world-famous wines of Stellenbosch.
In the following years, part of the property was transformed into a hotel, and at the same time the wine cellars were further expanded with the aim of bringing the infrastructure and service to today's luxury level.
Let's get to the wine story, which is at least as exciting! As already mentioned, viticulture has played an increasing role on the estate since Mrs. English, as she was the one who bottled the first Lanzerac wine from her own vines. Around the same time, in 1925, something extraordinary also happened at the University of Stellenbosch: Professor Abraham Izak Perold successfully crossed the Pinot Noir and Hermitage grape varieties (now known as Cinsault) and created South Africa's first native wine grape variety: Pinotage.
Lanzerac (then marketed as Stellebosch Farmers Winery) was the first winery in the world to bottle and sell wines as "Pinotage". It was the Lanzerac Pinotage Vintage 1959. This visionary release marked the birth of Pinotage as a unique variety in South Africa.
A little homage to Pinotage: "Firstly, it is an exciting and very expressive variety to work with. Secondly, our Jonkershoek terroir, with its perfect balance between warm and cool climates, is ideal for growing Pinotage. And thirdly, tells "Pinotage has its own South African history. It is the wine that foreign visitors want to try (...)." - So come on, what are you waiting for? ♥
