History
Since French Huguenot Jacques Malan first set foot in the Cape in 1688, the Malan family’s wine knowledge accumulated over many generations, has equipped them to excel as one of the leading private producers of estate wines in South Africa.
The late Frans Malan, beloved patriarch of the Malan Family and one of the pioneers of the South African wine industry, was not only a craftsman of superior wines, but also introduced numerous Simonsig ‘firsts’, cementing the estate’s stately legacy in the Cape Winelands.
Frans Malan’s groundbreaking innovations include South Africa’s first Méthode Cap Classique, Kaapse Vonkel, more than 40 years ago. This bottle fermented sparkling wine first produced on Simonsig Estate in 1971, is made in the style of French champagne. He was also a co-founder of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes.
Today, his legacy lives on in his sons, Pieter, Francois and Johan, and grandson Francois-Jacques, the 3rd and 4th Malan generation at Simonsig Estate.
After more than 30 Simonsig vintages, current Cellarrmaster Johan Malan continues the family’s pioneering spirit with his own impressive lineage of award winning wines.