Hartenberg The Megan 2017

The first settlers to cultivate the virgin land of the estate now known as Hartenberg were friends Cunraad Boin and Christoffel Esterhuizzen who were granted permission to work sixty morgen (twenty hectare) of the land in 1692. Even then the wine-bearing potential of the soil was recognized and one of the first tasks that the two partners undertook was the clearing of the land to plant 2 000 vines.

The estate, which has been owned since 1986 by the MacKenzie family, is nestled in a valley on the free-draining, north-eastern slopes of the Bottelary Hills in Stellenbosch. Hartenberg enjoys a Mediterranean climate of warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. The vineyards face north, west, and east, with varietals planted to take advantage of either morning or afternoon sun. There is a difference in altitude of some 250 metres between the northern and southern vineyards. The estate is home to plentiful wildlife and over 120 species of birds – inspiration to combine the best of nature with fine wine.

The Megan is a tribute to Megan MacKenzie, wife of Ken “Stork” MacKenzie, whose family still owns Hartenberg Estate. Megan and Ken met whilst still at school, were later married, and so started a wonderful love story. Whilst on their honeymoon vacation to the Cape many years ago, Megan sowed the seeds for the decision to buy Hartenberg. Megan sadly passed away as a relatively young lady and Ken never remarried.