Officially opened in 1968 as the first bottle maturation cellar of its kind in the southern hemisphere, Die Bergkelder fulfilled the dreams of Dr Anton Rupert and Dr Alfred Baumgartner, directors of Distillers Corporation (SA) Limited, the owner of the property at the time. This major investment in a technologically advanced underground wine cellar for the production of quality wines was a major shift in focus for the organisation which until then had earned most of its income from brandy. Dr Baumgartner, who was the Chief Chemist and Wine Technologist for 35 years, harnessed the world's most modern machinery, equipment and techniques to produce some of the finest wines in the country under the Fleur du Cap and Stellenryck labels. In the 1970's, with Dr Julius Laszlo as visionary Cellarmaster, Die Bergkelder played a pivotal role in changing the face of the South African wine industry. Determined to produce world-class wines, he was one of the key protagonists in finding new plant material and encouraging grape-growers to introduce classic noble varietals to their vineyards such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. As a tribute to Dr Laszlo who passed away in July this year, a dedicated Laszlo Room for private tastings now takes pride of place in the refurbished cellar. In 2007 Fleur du Cap released an exclusive signature blend, Laszlo 2004, in his honour. Dr Laszlo was able to attend the launch and reminisce with old friends over dinner in Die Bergkelder, the very mountain cellar he helped to establish. Die Bergkelder offers wine lovers Fleur du Cap tastings in the heart of the cellar, creating a close encounter with the wines and the history of the underground cellar, cut deep into the Papegaaiberg. Without impinging on the unique ambiance synonymous with Die Bergkelder, the lighting has been upgraded to allow visitors to roam freely through the tranquil cellar spaces where thousands of bottles patiently lie in waiting. Sleek original Philippe Starck Ghost chairs around a heavy wooden table add a touch of modernity to the Fleur du Cap barrel room where the wine tastings and private dinners are held. The vaulted room is lined with carved oak barrels depicting the history of South African wine including the family crests of Jan van Riebeeck and Simon van der Stel, both protagonists of early winemaking in the Cape. Die Bergkelder also holds a special treat for wine collectors. Pick your favourite wine from the Vinotèque and allow it to mature under perfect conditions in the cellar until you can delight in your favourite bottle when the time is just right. The museum, located next to the wine shop, will take you down memory lane discovering items from yester year including an old Italian horse drawn cart, wine press, bottles, glasses and openers. Die Bergkelder is open Mondays to Saturdays for cellar tours and tastings. For more information or to make a booking, call Tel: 021 809-8025 or visit www.fleurducap.co.za. Brief History of Die Bergkelder Founded in 1967, this famous, technologically advanced 'cellar in the mountain' was the first of its kind in South Africa and today still produces some of the Capes finest wines. Ever since its official opening on 7 November 1968, Die Bergkelder has distinguished itself as an important innovator in the wine industry. The drive to produce world class South African wines at Die Bergkelder became a reality during the tenure of the late Dr Julius Laszlo as Cellarmaster between 1978 and 1992. In the 1970's he was one of the key protagonists in finding new plant material and encouraged grape-growers to plant noble varietals such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. In 1979, Die Bergkelder took the lead by introducing maturation of quality wine in small casks of new French oak and in 1998, the unique range of Fleur du Cap Unfiltered wines was launched. Made with minimal human interference allowing the full expression of the grape, these are elegant wines of great complexity with abundant fruit and flavour showing their true varietal character. In 2007, Fleur du Cap released the exclusive signature blend, Laszlo 2004, a fitting tribute to this innovative, visionary Cellarmaster who almost single- handedly catapulted South African winemaking into the international league in the 1980's. Die Bergkelder prides itself in producing wines of exceptional quality. Its care and commitment to achieving this starts in its own rootstock mother plantation, where the best-performing plant material is nurtured, and then supplied to elected grape growers in the Coastal Region of the Cape. The wines are matured in the underground maturation cellar where temperature and humidity are constantly controlled. They are then transferred to the bottle-maturation cellar where, under controlled conditions, the wine is smoothed and mellowed and the real bouquet is built. Each bottle released by Die Bergkelder attests to its absolute commitment to quality. Today, Die Bergkelder is still driving innovation started by Dr Laszlo.