Nestled beneath the dramatic Stellenbosch Mountains in South Africa’s beautiful Jonkershoek Valley, Lanzerac Wine Estate is one of the Cape’s great historic wine estates. Its story stretches back to 1692, just thirteen years after the founding of Stellenbosch, when Isaac Schrijver established the farm and named it Schoongezicht – meaning “beautiful view”. Vineyards were planted soon afterwards, beginning a winemaking tradition that continues today.

A particularly important chapter began in the early 20th century with Elizabeth Catherina “Kitty” English, a formidable and pioneering figure in South African wine. Under her ownership, the estate developed its reputation for quality wine, and the first wine was bottled under the Lanzerac name. The estate’s Mrs English Chardonnay pays tribute to her contribution and enduring influence.

But Lanzerac’s place in wine history is perhaps best known for Pinotage.

In 1925, Professor Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University, crossed Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (then known as Hermitage) to create Pinotage – South Africa’s first uniquely indigenous wine grape. Remarkably, Perold’s original Pinotage vines were grown just a couple of kilometres from Lanzerac.

The connection became historic in 1959, when a Pinotage made from that vintage was selected for commercial bottling under the Lanzerac label. Released in 1961, it was the world’s first commercially bottled Pinotage, helping establish the variety as an important part of South African wine culture.

Today, Pinotage remains at the heart of Lanzerac’s identity, but the estate produces a much broader range of wines, from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to Cabernet Sauvignon and carefully crafted red blends. Its wines include the Heritage collection and the limited-release Keldermeester Versameling, the Cellar Master’s collection, showcasing some of the estate’s most distinctive and ambitious wines.

The estate has also endured its share of challenges. A devastating fire in 2017 severely damaged the historic property, which subsequently underwent an extensive restoration before reopening in 2018. The result is an estate that successfully combines its Cape heritage with modern winemaking and hospitality.

At The Solent Cellar, we are delighted to stock a carefully selected range of Lanzerac wines, from the vibrant 2025 Sauvignon Blanc and elegant 2025 Mrs English Chardonnay through to the Keldermeester Versameling Bergstrom 2023, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, the Reserve Red 2021, Pinotage 2023, Le Général 2021, Pioneer Pinotage 2021 and Keldermeester Versameling DOK 2023, made from Malbec. Together, they offer a fascinating introduction to the character and diversity of Stellenbosch wine, from classic South African varieties to some of Lanzerac’s most distinctive expressions.

For us, Lanzerac offers the chance to explore both sides of modern Stellenbosch: wines that reflect the estate’s historic roots, alongside ambitious, contemporary expressions of the region.