Alto Rouge marks 100th vintage

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There are some things in life that you can always rely on. And no, I don’t mean death and taxes. A Toyota Corolla is one. The summer southeaster in Cape Town is definitely another.

And in the world of wine, it’s Alto Rouge: a wine that has long been guaranteed to over-deliver on quality and complexity and impress with its affordable price point. It’s the kind of bottle you know you can take to a friend’s braai or dinner with your in-laws, and everyone will be happy. And in terms of value for money, Rouge has long been a showstopper.

And by long, I mean long. In fact, 2024 marks the 100^th vintage of Alto Rouge, a farm that has quietly and consistently produced some of the best red wines on the Helderberg.  

The farm dates to 1919, when the farmer Hennie Malan bought a portion of the historic Groenrivier farm and established Alto. Joined by his son Manie Malan, a pioneering viticulturist and winemaker, they planted an array of red grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cinsaut, Gamay Noir, and Pinot Noir.

And Manie Malan was a man with a vision: of blending robust Cabernet Sauvignon with fruit-forward Shiraz and Cinsaut. It proved to be a smart move. He put his first vintage of Alto Rouge in the cellar in 1922, and when it was released it won top prize at the 1924 Cape Wine Show. Even though – can you believe! – at first it was all exported to the United Kingdom and only hit local shelves in 1933.

Remarkably, in the 100 years since that first vintage Alto has had just five winemakers in charge of the cellar. With each winemaker adding their own stamp of character, over the years the make-up of Alto Rouge has evolved with our changing tastes. Today you’ll find the blend combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot, to ensure a red wine of depth and complexity that is hugely approachable even on release. No need to put this charmer in the cellar for too long!

“Even more amazing is that Alto Rouge has remained a popular and commercially viable wine for almost a century,” says Bertho van der Westhuizen, Alto’s fifth-generation winemaker. “And if the forebears of Alto happen to be watching, this year’s 2022 vintage will be great!”

And also… watch this space. The Alto estate is currently closed to the public while major renovations and upgrades take place. Keep an eye out in spring 2025 for a new-look Alto destination in the winelands!