The name Merindol is taken from the Malan Coat of Arms and is the French village where the Malan family originated. Over the past 25 years, Simonsig has replanted its vineyards with the best Syrah clones available.

Each vineyard is planted on a specially selected site to optimize quality. This has led to a dramatic improvement in quality. The Merindol vineyard is planted on a deep red Hutton soil of weathered granite origin. These are the most sought-after soils in Stellenbosch for growing premium red wine. The high clay content has a high water-retention capacity, which sustains the vines during the dry summer months. The vineyard was planted in 1996 with a French Syrah clone SH 99.

Higher rainfall during the 2019 winter months and the coinciding increase in dam levels resulted in better water availability for vineyards. This led to even budbreak and a large number of flowering bunches, which showed early promise for a good season. Conditions remained favorable, except for some wind during flowering and rain during December, which required meticulous vineyard management. Moderate temperatures and dry weather followed, resulting in an excellent season with above-average yields of healthy and excellent-quality grapes. It was an intense season that required immense focus and precise execution to manage.

The vineyard was harvested on 17 March 2020. Most of the grapes were destemmed, with 16% whole bunches added to the ferment. The grapes underwent cold maceration for two days in the tank, after which fermentation commenced. The wine spent a total of 22 days on the skins before pressing. Malolactic fermentation and ageing occurred in 500-litre French oak barrels.

17 months in 500L French oak barrels: 40% 1st fill; 32% 2nd fill; 27% 3rd fill.

Winemaker : Debbie Thompson

The name Merindol is taken from the Malan Coat of Arms and is the French village where the Malan family originated. Over the past 25 years, Simonsig has replanted its vineyards with the best Syrah clones available.

Each vineyard is planted on a specially selected site to optimize quality. This has led to a dramatic improvement in quality. The Merindol vineyard is planted on a deep red Hutton soil of weathered granite origin. These are the most sought-after soils in Stellenbosch for growing premium red wine. The high clay content has a high water-retention capacity, which sustains the vines during the dry summer months. The vineyard was planted in 1996 with a French Syrah clone SH 99.

Higher rainfall during the 2019 winter months and the coinciding increase in dam levels resulted in better water availability for vineyards. This led to even budbreak and a large number of flowering bunches, which showed early promise for a good season. Conditions remained favorable, except for some wind during flowering and rain during December, which required meticulous vineyard management. Moderate temperatures and dry weather followed, resulting in an excellent season with above-average yields of healthy and excellent-quality grapes. It was an intense season that required immense focus and precise execution to manage.

The vineyard was harvested on 17 March 2020. Most of the grapes were destemmed, with 16% whole bunches added to the ferment. The grapes underwent cold maceration for two days in the tank, after which fermentation commenced. The wine spent a total of 22 days on the skins before pressing. Malolactic fermentation and ageing occurred in 500-litre French oak barrels.

17 months in 500L French oak barrels: 40% 1st fill; 32% 2nd fill; 27% 3rd fill.

Winemaker : Debbie Thompson