The Miravel Wine Estate is situated just outside Somerset West, Western Cape beneath the majestic Helderberg mountains. Formerly part of the Dellrust Estate, Miravel was founded in 2002 by Zimbabwean Maarten van Beuningen and his wife Janine, and despite its relative youth, has already produced several outstanding wines.
The cool breezes that sweep up from False Bay lend themselves to a fresh, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, and the maiden 2005 vintage landed the estate it's first award in 2006 - a bronze Veritas. Since then a second Sauvignon Blanc and the first of Miravel's reds have debuted, as a broader range of options takes shape.
Several partnerships with more established vineyards promise further additions to the Miravel range, and the distinctive red brick and thatch farmhouse provides a delightfully relaxed tasting venue amongst the vineyards, and one to which Maarten and Janine extend an invitation to sample their wines.
Previously an ostrich farmer, Maarten has turned his hand to wine in the city where he and wife Janine met whilst at university. With support from friends, family and within the local wine community, and supplemented by extensive study of wine farming and production - including plenty of tasting! - Miravel is fast becoming one of the region's more exciting young estates.