Marianne Merlot 2018

Marianne is a 32-hectare vineyard, 24 of which are planted with vines at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountain, south-east of Stellenbosch. In 2002, the Frenchman Christian Dauriac visited South Africa and was immediately enthusiastic about the winery. The Dauriac family has more than 30 years of experience in wine-growing and winemaking, having skilfully managed the three prestigious Château Destieux, Château Clémence and Château Montlisse wineries in France. French winegrowers can look back on a long tradition in the area, because when the Huguenots fled from the religious persecution by Louis XIV to South Africa, they brought all their know-how with them. This is one of the reasons for the unusual name of the estate – Marianne. Marianne is a fictional character: a young and energetic woman who embodies the French Revolution and its ideals: freedom, equality and fraternity. Marianne wears a special cap on her head – a Phrygian hat worn by the free slaves during the Roman rule to show that they are now free and full-fledged Roman citizens. During the French Revolution, the figure of a woman dressed as a warrior wearing the ‘Cap of Freedom‘ on her head, developed into a symbol of the ‘Triumph of the Republic‘. The figure was given its name Marianne because of the fact that it was the most common name in France in the 18th century and thus best unites the country and its people.

The Marianne winery offers its guests excellent service, high-quality facilities and a relaxed country atmosphere. Several rooms on the estate are divided between the main house and the loft apartments, all built in Cape Dutch style. The accommodation is surrounded by citrus groves, well-kept gardens and charming vineyards. Each of the spacious rooms is furnished with elegant and stylish furniture, the design is inspired by warm earthy tones and traditional African art. The two outdoor pools offer a panoramic view of Cape Winelands and Table Mountain. Guests can take a stroll through the countryside, relax at the swimming pool or taste the delicious Marianne wine while sitting on one of the terraces and enjoying the view of Table Mountain.

Marianne stands for a 21st century South African winery that produces French-style wine, which honours both the South African terroir and the 2000-year-old heritage of Bordeaux winemaking. The winery's flagships include the Desirade, the Merlot and the Floreal, which have already won numerous awards and honours. But also the noble grape varieties Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc produce exclusive wines at Marianne.