MURATIE WINE ESTATE
Accommodation Services in Stellenbosch

Tucked into the exquisite Knorhoek Valley north of Stellenbosch, Muratie Wine Estate, under the stewardship of Rijk Melck and his family, has been at the heart of a lot of passionate debate. This debate is centred largely around the desire to protect a century’s old wine experience that is a magnet for wine lovers around the world. The farm itself dates back to 1685 when it was granted by Governor Simon van der Stel who was Governor of the Cape of Good Hope at the time. This makes Muratie one of the oldest estates in South Africa and along with that age comes many characters and truly fascinating stories. The Melck family has revived this rich heritage in an updated yet classical evolution of the brand, naming its range after many of these colourful characters. For example, the MCC bubbly is known as Lady Alice. The wine itself has also undergone incredible changes in quality, under the creative hand of winemaker Hattingh De Villiers and his team. Historically, Muratie has been known for being the first producer of Pinot Noir as well as fine ports. Along with the development of other varietals, Muratie has elevated itself into a new appreciation amongst truly discerning wine lovers. From an early age Paul loved drawing and in his middle age could still remember the first pencil he possessed. At school het drew caricatures of the teachers until an admonitory letter to his father put an end to that. Paul got a ticking-off home but also a paint-box for Christmas. According to him, that Christmas was one of the happiest days of his life. After this Paul lived only for Saturdays and his charcoal and chalk. The lesson was usually in the country where sketches were made of nature. If it rained that day, still-lifes were painted In the studio. Paul’s parents, however, were not thrilled by the fact that painting occupied such an important place in their son’s life, since they had planned a military career for him. Paul nevertheless succeeded in studying at the Academy of Saxony in Dresden, where he obtained a diploma in painting. After this he went to Italy to study the masterpieces of the Rennaissance. During his stay on Muratie he often thought with longing of that time. He also went to Paris where he associated with the plein air school of painters. Here he received lessons in portrait-painting and pastel. His Paris stay was interrupted for some months by a study tour to the Netherlands, where he studied and copied the works of Frans Hals in Haarlem and Amsterdam. During his studies, he developed a chest ailment, for which the doctor recommended dry air, hence him taking a ship to Luderitz Bay. The local doctor sent him to the high-lying interior where he quickly recovered his strength and began to paint again. The light and atmosphere, however, were so different from that of Europe that he could not give expression to what he felt and observed. George Canitz continued to paint while developing the estate. The cellar is still home to many of his paintings, the one behind the cellar table, which has been used for the Amber Forever wine label, is of one of his models, who was probably his mistress too. In 1958 Canitz passed away and left the farm to his daughter, Annemarie (Annemie). She took over the running the estate and became one of the first female wine farm owners in South Africa.