Unlocking Bellevue’s Winemaking Legacy: A Journey Through Time
At Bellevue Wine Estate, every bottle tells a story—one that spans centuries of dedication, transformation, and winemaking mastery. Our journey began in 1701, but it was in 1820 that the estate’s true winemaking potential was unlocked, setting the stage for the pioneering achievements that would follow.
Laying the Foundations (1701–1820)
Bellevue’s origins trace back to 1701, when the estate—then called Houd den Mond—was granted to blacksmith Christoffel Groenewald. While the early years saw the land primarily used for livestock and farming, its true potential for viticulture was yet to be realised.
Through the 18th century, German and Dutch settlers expanded the farm’s operations. By the late 1700s, under the ownership of Daniel Ferdinand Immelman, vineyards became a more prominent feature of the estate. Immelman, an adventurer-turned-winemaker, recognised the unique terroir of the Bottelary Hills, laying the groundwork for the estate’s future in wine production.
1820 – Unlocking Bellevue’s Winemaking Legacy
The year 1820 marked a turning point in Bellevue’s history. Under the ownership of Johannes Mechau, the farm expanded significantly, incorporating adjacent land known as Houd den Beck, creating the ideal conditions for large-scale viticulture. Mechau, originally a butcher, shifted his focus to grape cultivation and winemaking, recognising the growing demand for Cape wines both locally and internationally.
As the 19th century progressed, the estate’s vineyards flourished. The fertile soils and cooling ocean breezes of the Bottelary Hills provided the perfect environment for high-quality grape production. By the mid-1800s, the farm had officially adopted the name Bellevue, meaning “beautiful view”—a name befitting the rolling vineyards and breathtaking landscapes.
Growth and Innovation (1850–1900)
By the mid-1800s, Bellevue was firmly established as a leading Stellenbosch wine farm. Ownership passed to Jacobus Christiaan de Waal in 1853, who further expanded the vineyards. However, it was in 1861 that a new era truly began with the arrival of the Morkel family, who would shape Bellevue’s winemaking legacy for over 150 years.
Under Dirk Cloete Morkel, Bellevue’s first Morkel-generation owner, the farm grew to 1,500 morgen, with vineyards, grazing land, and a diverse agricultural focus. A VOC cannon—still visible on the estate today—was brought to Bellevue as a symbol of its rich history and deep roots in the Cape’s past.
While livestock farming remained an important part of the estate, wine production became increasingly significant. As the Cape wine industry matured, Bellevue evolved alongside it, experimenting with different grape varieties and winemaking techniques.
Bellevue in the Early 1900s: A Focus on Quality
By the early 20th century, Bellevue was home to a diverse range of grape varietals, including Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, Shiraz, and Clairette Blanc. Ownership remained in the hands of the Morkel family, with Jan Henoch Neethling Morkel and Dirk Cloete Morkel (2nd generation) overseeing the farm’s growth.
During this period, the Stellenbosch wine industry underwent a transformation, with an increased focus on wine quality and production standards. The founding of the Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging (KWV) in 1918 provided structure to the industry, ensuring sustainable pricing and production for farms like Bellevue.
By the 1940s, under the leadership of Pieter Krige (P.K.) Morkel, Bellevue had become one of Stellenbosch’s premier wine farms. P.K., a former Springbok rugby player, studied viticulture and oenology under Abraham Izak Perold, the creator of Pinotage.
The Road to Pinotage (1940s–1953)
The late 1940s and early 1950s saw a revolution in South African winemaking—one in which Bellevue played a pivotal role. In 1953, PK Morkel made a bold decision that would change Bellevue’s legacy forever:
Unable to source Gamay Noir vines for the estate, P.K. turned to a new and experimental varietal—Pinotage, a unique South African cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault (Hermitage), developed by Professor Perold. P.K. planted 2.58 hectares of Pinotage vines, one of the first commercial Pinotage vineyards in the world. A year later, he expanded the plantings to 3.23 hectares, firmly positioning Bellevue at the forefront of Pinotage production.
This historic vineyard, planted on a south-facing slope with Cartref and Westleigh soils, remains one of South Africa’s most treasured wine-growing sites today.
A Winemaking Legacy Secured
Bellevue’s commitment to innovation and quality was cemented in 1959, when its Pinotage wine won the General Smuts Trophy at the Cape Wine Show, officially marking Pinotage as South Africa’s signature red varietal.
From its earliest days in the 1700s, through its transformation in 1820, to its pioneering role in Pinotage, Bellevue’s story is one of vision, dedication, and world-class winemaking. Today, as custodians of this remarkable legacy, we continue to unlock new possibilities—one vintage at a time.
