OUR STORY
Margaret was the daughter of Frederick and Violet.
Frederick came to South Africa in 1893 and a year later was appointed instructor of singing in State-aided schools. He later bought a beautiful farm in a remote part of the Eastern Cape and married Violet Mary Jennings with whom he had six children; Margaret being the 3rd.
Margaret trained as a high school teacher. During the 2nd World War she lost both her brother and her fiancé; her father having died shortly before the war.
To overcome her grief, she accepted a teaching post in the wine and fruit farming district of Robertson in the Western Cape. There she met and married Oscar de Wet who was a grape grower, cattle farmer and horse breeder. She became very involved in the farming activities and displayed an acute financial intelligence.
When her husband died unexpectedly in 1961, leaving her with a farm and four children she took over the seamless running of the business, making award winning wines and breeding champion racehorses.
To commemorate this woman of great ability, fortitude and self-reliance the Margaret label was born.
WE CARE
Sustainable Wine South Africa (SWSA) is the alliance between the Wine and Spirit Board (WSB), the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme, the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI) and Wines of South Africa (WOSA).
Together these organisations are driving the South African wine industry’s commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly production. A certification seal appears on each container of wine which has been certified by the Wine and Spirit Board. This seal is a guarantee of origin, vintage and variety as stated on the wine label. It is also a guarantee that the wine complies with IPW criteria.
WATER MANAGEMENT
Water conservation is vital, and every effort is made at Margaret Vineyards to ensure that we use water sparingly. We are constantly training our staff on sustainable methods of conserving water and the safe reuse of wastewater. In the vineyards a drip irrigation system is in place and soil moisture content is carefully monitored. Mulching is also done underneath the vines, which allows the soil to retain its natural moisture.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Our goal at Margaret Vineyards is to reduce the amount of energy required to produce our products and services. Some ways in which we are reducing our energy consumption: During harvest time, the grapes are picked by hand at the break of dawn in order to save energy on cooling grapes when they are brought into the winery. Our winery and cellar have been designed to allow for maximum natural lighting, while energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFL), have replaced our traditional incandescent light bulbs. Solar powered water cylinders have been installed in all farm workers’ houses, to help reduce their cost of living and their impact on the environment.
HABITAT CONSERVATION
We are committed to protecting the biodiversity of the land, we seek to conserve, protect and enhance the suitability of our vineyards as a home for wild plants and animals. This includes the removal of alien vegetation such as pine trees and eucalyptus, which has led to a noticeable increase in native bird life and wildlife on the property. The use of cover crops in the vineyards are used to naturally regenerate the soil, and promote micro-life and insect life.
OUR WINES
A strong woman loves, forgives, walks away, lets go, tries again, perseveres…
no matter what life throws at her.
MARGARET
CHARDONNAY
Layers of sun-kissed yellow apple aromas with
lemon and orange flavours.
The palate shows mouth filling creaminess
with perfectly balanced acidity.
MARGARET
CHENIN BLANC
Lime green in colour, with tropical aromas of guava
being most prevalent with hints of citrus.
It has an elegant mouth feel, with a lingering fruity
note on the finish.
MARGARET
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Pale gold with a hint of green.
Incredibly juicy with ripened fig notes and a delicate
balance of flinty minerals.
Crisp lingering finish.
MARGARET
VIOGNIER
Lush with rich flavours of peaches and lemon peel with spicy undertones on the palate.
A full-bodied wine that pairs well with chicken tagine with apricots and almonds.
MARGARET
ROSÉ
A vibrant cherry pink in the glass.
Aromas of strawberry, peach and raspberry
are complemented by good acidity.
MARGARET
NATURAL SWEET WHITE
Sweet perfume aromas, with pineapple
and passion fruit on the nose.
Best enjoyed chilled.
MARGARET
SWEET RED
Fruity and soft with aromas of blackcurrant
and prunes which carry through to a sweet finish.
MARGARET
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Deep red bursting with fruitiness and nuances of smoke on the nose.
Smooth and full-bodied with a hint of spice.
MARGARET
MERLOT
Showcasing blackcurrant, ripe plum
and red berry fruit aromas.
Full-bodied with excellent structure
and a lingering finish.
MARGARET
PINOTAGE
Rich fruit character of blackcurrant, blueberries
and prunes with hints of liquorice and smoky notes.
Well structured and balanced.
MARGARET
SHIRAZ
A full-bodied wine that displays
well rounded flavours.
Rich and fruity with a hint of peppery overtones and a smoky streak of oak.
MARGARET
RESERVE SHIRAZ VIOGNIER
Opulent dark red, fruity and rich
with subtle hints of toasted oak.
Supple and well-balanced, the addition
of Viognier lends a softness to this wine.
GALLERY
