‘Simon & the Hugenots’ Sauvignon/Semillon 2021, WO Stellenbosch

With its exuberant tropical fruit and lean citrus freshness, The Huguenot perfectly captures why South Africa has gained such a great name for Sauvignon. Citrus, lime, fresh lemon with gooseberry and passion-fruit character with grassy notes with very refreshing pear, melon and tropical fruit flavours.

Simon van der Stel was the first Governor of the Dutch Cape Colony, holding office from 1691 until 1699. The town of Stellenbosch, founded in 1679, was named after him. Widely considered as father of the Cape wine industry, van der Stel was also the first Governor to be of mixed race-origin. The Huguenots were French Protestants who as members of the Reformed Church were habitually persecuted for their beliefs. In 1685 Huguenots fled the country for Holland in order that they could enjoy religious freedom. Between 1688 and 1689, the Dutch East India Company organised large-scale emigration to the Cape, which included Huguenots who were highly skilled tradesmen or farmers – some bringing experience in viticulture. Simon van der Stel set aside land for the Huguenots along the Berg River valley, which included Franschhoek (‘French corner’) and present-day Paarl. His actions and their expertise was the founding of South Africa’s wine industry.

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