DEMORGENZON

Simon van der Stel, the Dutch Governor, founded Stellenbosch in 1679, and vines have been planted in the Stellenbosch Hills since the early 1700’s. DeMorgenzon, meaning 'the morning sun', is so called because it is the first part of the Stellenboschkloof valley to see the sun due to its high altitude. It was originally a section of one of the oldest farms in South Africa, and today it is run by Wendy and Hylton Appelbaum, who bought the estate in 2003. The Appelbaums aim to produce wines that are a combination of New World-style fruit and Old World-style elegance. They have rather unique way of achieving this, by placing speakers in their vineyard and cellar and playing Baroque music to both their vines and their wines. Wendy previously had a high-flying career in the business world, she was director of Liberty Investors Limited as well as holding several other high-powered positions and being trustee to several South African charities. Hylton had an equally high-flying business career, but then became founder of Classic FM South Africa, this passion for music now extends to the viticulture - the vines are dotted with speakers that play continuous Baroque music to the vines, which they are sure adds and improves plant growth and help - not to mention the souls of the vineyard team!