2025 · Five Soldiers

Rustenberg is a historic, family-owned estate in Stellenbosch’s Simonsberg valley, run by Simon Barlow and his son, cellarmaster Murray Barlow. The Barlow family has owned the property since 1941, and the estate is recognized as a National Heritage Site. Its wines include premium Bordeaux varieties and blends, notably the John X Merriman, Peter Barlow and Five Soldiers, alongside Chardonnay, fortified wines and regional expressions. Vineyard stewardship includes bee-safe farming, cover crops, drip irrigation, water-saving practices, virus-free French planting material, an on-site nursery, and conservation of indigenous fynbos and wildlife. Rustenberg also participates in South Africa’s Old Vine Project and emphasizes traditional, site-conscious winemaking, including wild barrel fermentation and maturation for its Stellenbosch Chardonnay.