Company Overview

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Background & History

Named after the majestic views of the Simonsberg Mountain, Simonsig Estate is situated in the famous Stellenbosch Winelands just 45 km east of Cape Town. Since French Huguenot Jacques Malan first set foot in the Cape in 1688, the Malan family’s wine knowledge accumulated over many generations, has equipped them to excel as one of the leading private producers of estate wines in South Africa.

The late Frans Malan, beloved patriarch of the Malan Family and one of the pioneers of the South African wine industry, was not only a craftsman of superior wines, but also introduced numerous Simonsig ‘firsts’, cementing the estate’s stately legacy in the Cape Winelands.

Frans Malan’s groundbreaking innovations include South Africa’s first Méthode Cap Classique, Kaapse Vonkel, more than 40 years ago. This bottle fermented sparkling wine first produced on Simonsig Estate in 1971, is made in the style of French champagne. He was also a co-founder of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes.

Today, his legacy lives on in his sons, Pieter, Francois and Johan, and grandson Francois-Jacques, the 3rd and 4th Malan generation at Simonsig Estate.

After more than 30 Simonsig vintages, current Cellarrmaster Johan Malan continues the family’s pioneering spirit with his own impressive lineage of award winning wines.

1659 - The first wine is made in South Africa, by Jan van Riebeeck.

1688 - French Huguenot, Jacques Malan arrives on a ship called China and for the first time sets foot in the Cape Winelands.

1953 - Frans Malan marries Lisa van Niekerk, daughter of Piet van Niekerk, owner of De Hoop Farm.

1953 - Frans Malan starts farming on father-in-law’s De Hoop farm.

1964 - Frans Malan buys his second property and names it Simonsig.

1964 - Alessandro Borio, an Italian Prisoner of War, rebuilds the fermentation cellars.

1968 - Frans Malan bottles Simonsig’s first wines.

1969 - Neil Armstrong walks on the moon.

1971 - 1st Méthode Cap Classique produced under the Simonsig label.

1971 - Frans Malan becomes one of the founding members of the Stellenbosch Wineroute.

1973 - The Wine of Origin System implemented.

1978 - Pieter Malan joins Simonsig.

1979 - A crèche is opened for the children of Simonsig’s farming community.

1980 - Francois Malan joins Simonsig.

1981 - Johan Malan joins Simonsig.

1987 - Pinot Meunier is added to the Kaapse Vonkel Méthode Cap Classique recipe.

1990 - The first year for Tiara, our flagship wine.

1990 - Nelson Mandela released from prison after 27 years in Robben Island prison. 4 Years later SA becomes a new democracy.

1994 - The first democratic elections for all SA citizens.

1995 - Simonsig expands on pressing cellar.

2002 - Reach for Gold, a socio-economic upliftment project is implemented at Simonsig.

2003 - Cabernet Sauvignon Labyrinth, Vineyard planted on Simonsig Estate.

2005 - Debbie Thompson voted Landbou Weekblad’s 2005 Woman Winemaker of the Year.

2008 - Cuvée Restaurant opens at Simonsig Estate.

2009 - Simonsig installs new bottling line.

2009 - Celebrating 350 years of wine making in South Africa

2009 - 5-piece land art by Strijdom van der Merwe unveiled at Simonsig Estate.

2010 - Simonsig’s Tasting Room gets a makeover.

2011 - Kaapse Vonkel’s 40th Anniversary Celebration launches Kaapse Vonkel Cellar.

2011 - Simonsig awarded for Best Blanc de Blancs at Cap Classique Challenge

2012 - Simonsig as it stands today below the Simonsberg Mountains.

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