It is a season of celebration and quiet reflection at Rust en Vrede Wine Estate. From stellar scores at the Decanter World Wine Awards to the cozy transition into winter dormancy, the historic Stellenbosch estate shares its latest updates.
Strong showing at the Decanter World Wine Awards
Rust en Vrede is proud to celebrate another strong showing at the Decanter World Wine Awards. The Rust en Vrede Estate Vineyards Syrah 2022 was awarded 91 points, with judges praising its aromas of plum, cassis and dark berries, layered with liquorice and vanilla spice, leading to bright fruit, dusty tannins and a peppery grip. The flagship Rust en Vrede Estate 2022 received 90 points, noted for its lifted aromas of mint and cedar, generous blackcurrant and plum fruit, seamless tannins and lingering finish.
Additionally, the Rust en Vrede Estate 2022 just received 94 points from Winemag.co.za's Signature Red Blends Report, appearing once again in the Top 10.
Congratulations to Danielle le Roux and the winemaking team for their commitment to the consistent quality that Rust en Vrede is known for. Both wines are available and can be purchased through the cellar door or our online shop.
Seasonal restaurant update
As part of its annual seasonal break, the fine-dining Rust en Vrede Restaurant will be closed from 28 June to 28 July 2026. Guests are still invited to visit the Estate during this time, with both the Tasting Room and the Winemaker’s Lunch continuing to operate as normal.
The Restaurant will reopen again on 29 July 2026. From 29 July to 30 August 2026, the Restaurant will resume its popular Winter Special, featuring the signature six-course menu at R990 per person. Bookings are recommended and can be made online, by emailing dining@rustenvrede.com, or by calling 021 881 3757.
Winter on the estate
During winter, the vines shed their leaves and enter dormancy. Cover crops sown between the vineyard rows have responded to the autumn rains, carpeting the earth with a veil of green. It is a season of relative quiet on the Estate, marked by long, dark nights, misty mornings touched with dew, and, if we are fortunate, sun-drenched afternoons when the gentle warmth of the winter sun filters through the bare branches of the old oaks.
In the cellar, the wines rest in barrel, maturing slowly as preparations begin for the next turn of the cycle: pruning in the vineyards, the release of the new Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah vintages, and the continued work of blending, bottling and labelling. Life on the Estate, like wine itself, is cyclical, each season giving way to the next in its own time. And perhaps there is no better season than winter in which to savour the depth, warmth and generosity of Rust en Vrede's full-bodied reds.
Save the date: Stellenbosch Wine Festival
Join us at the Stellenbosch Wine Festival on 31 July and 1 August 2026 at the historic Stellenbosch Town Hall. Winemaker Danielle le Roux and the Rust en Vrede team will be pouring a selection of our wines, sharing their knowledge and the stories behind the wine. Tickets start from R600 and are available through Stellenbosch Wine Routes.
Buy your tickets