Merwida Winery

The fertile soils of the Breede River Valley near Rawsonville have been home to the Van der Merwe family and Merwida Winery since 1844. Located at the foot of the Du Toitskloof Mountains along the Holsloot River, the Merwida vineyards stretch over 800 hectares, making it one of the largest private cellars in South Africa and one of the most significant wine producers in the Breedekloof.

For over seven generations, the Van der Merwes have nurtured the land, wildlife, and most importantly, the people who work it. The name Merwida itself is a contraction of the family surname, and the winery has gained a reputation for setting the highest standards while embracing new challenges. Cousins Schalk and Pierre van der Merwe lead the current generation, their shared love for grape growing driving the estate forward. Cape Wine Master Lieza van der Merwe has recently launched wines that highlight the unique natural heritage of the Breede River wetlands.

Merwida produces wines from twenty-four different grape varieties across three distinctive ranges. The Merwida range celebrates the beauty of the Breedekloof with terroir-driven wines. The Papenkuils range pays homage to the region's endemic vegetation and the distinctive wetland scenery, adorned with images of indigenous flowers such as Kukumakranka, Waterblommetjie, and Vleivygie. At the top sits the Huis Te Merwede range, named after the historic family homestead.

The homestead itself, Huis Te Merwede, originally built in the early 1970s, has been beautifully renovated to house a stylish wine-tasting area where wine ambassador Joel Prins guides guests through the award-winning portfolio. The facility also includes a tea room and a conference venue. Varietals span Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Barbera, Cap Classique, and Port, among many others.

Perhaps most remarkably, Merwida is one of the largest Fairtrade Wine producers in the world, producing nearly a quarter of all Fairtrade wines made in South Africa. The Van der Merwes are also dedicated to preserving the local environment, stewarding the 600-hectare Papenkuils Wetland along the Breede River. This combination of scale, family heritage, environmental commitment, and Fairtrade leadership makes Merwida a unique proposition in the South African wine landscape. The tasting room is open Monday to Friday 08:00 to 17:00 and Saturday 10:00 to 15:00.