HERBARIUM

Doug Mylrea and Paul Hoogwerf are school friends who went on to study winemaking together at the University of Stellenbosch. From here they each headed off around the globe to hone their viticultural and winemaking skills - crossing paths once again at Chapoutier in the Northern Rhône.

It soon became clear they had a shared vision, and so set to work on making their dream come to life. As a base they took advantage of a beautifully charming, but unbelievably tiny old building, down on the lagoon in the heart of the Walker Bay region. Here Maanschijn was born, named after the huge peak 'The Maanschynkop' that towers over their very humble winery.

The old cottage sits on a small plot of land that had been in Doug's family for generations, at the foot of the mountains and right on the water's edge. They have a vineyard here, just over a Hectare of vines, where they work organically and grow Sauvignon Blanc. The wonderful fruit from this plot underpins their Herbarium White.

Doug and Paul's aim at Maanschijn is to capture the essence of the Walker Bay zone in 2 wines - their Herbarium Red and Herbarium White. Using a broad mix of traditional 'ancient' South African Cultivars; the two blends are made up from different plots across the region. One taste and you are transported immediately to this stunning part of South Africa between the sea and the mountains. Clever stuff and such a joy to drink.