Middelvlei Wine Estate — Attraction in Stellenbosch Local Municipality

Wine creates memories. Memories of fine food, friendship, love and celebrations. Some memories fade with time, like a long African road that disappears over the horizon. Wine memories seem to remain longer - like a long lingering aftertaste of a fine Syrah. Possibly also because no great memory ever starts with a salad.

My wife and I have fond memories of Middelvlei estate. We visited the estate years ago and made friends with their great danes - Tinta and Barocca. We had a wonderful time. Ever since then we have ordered a bottle of Middlevlei wine when celebrating a special occasion. We seem to have built this intangible affiliation with Middelvlei.

At a wine show we met Ben Momberg and of course we started chatting. We were sorry to hear that Tinta and Barocca had sadly passed away. After tasting their superb range of wine Ben asked me if I wanted to make an investment in wine. This is how the deal works: I pay an inflated price for a 5L bottle of wine and he will refill it.

“How often will you refill it?” “Every year - just send me the empty bottle and I will refill it with any wine that you choose.” “Every year?” “Yes - for the rest of your life. This is a good investment.”

For sentimentality more that anything else, we exchanged money, shook hands and left with a big bottle of wine.

What followed was certainly memorable. We had an annual “Momberg challenge”. I would invite family and friends for a meal and attempt to empty the bottle. We ate. We drank good wine. We laughed. We celebrated life. We created good memories. All built around wine.

And things started to slow down. I always needed to call the farm to enquire when the bottle will be filled. Delays were followed by silence. And then more silence.

Now I do have a vague understanding of logistics but I was relying on the integrity of a hand shake with Ben to be true to his word.

I called Ben Momberg and he passed the buck faster than Naas Botha, as a salesperson would do.

I called Tinnie Momberg and his blunt response was: “We don’t do that anymore”.

This review is not about the wine produced at Middelvlei - their wine is excellent. It’s about disappointment and lack of integrity. Crushed memories. A call for businesses to raise their game and meet their promises.

If you ever do a deal with Middelvlei make sure you get it...

I have been coming to eat at Middlevlei Wine Farm (Stellenbosch) for at least 4 + years. I have witnessed first hand how they diligently built up their restaurant and their wines....to where they are today-a successful business. Unfortunately I must add, my past visits were very disappointing....and although I didn't immediately take to rating them, I rather wanted to see if what I experienced was not perhaps " off days" , but this was not the case. What was very noticeable was the portion sizes of the chicken Keebabs ( they were always well sized) to the point of the dish lid not being able to close. The Keebabs we received yesterday ( and a few times before)....were nothing short of miserable, they looked boiled ( no colour, and taste) and most times tough, the chops were ridiculously thin ( but nicely braaied), yet the size took centre stage above the taste-very disappointing from previous times. The coffee seemed watered down, and really had no taste! What really sealed the disappointed was their pricing....for just two of us, (including one bottle of their average Red wine) it cost us over R630 excl the tip. I just don't think they are aiming at the locals for support anymore ( rather bus liads)....what would it cost an average family of 6 cost to eat here?.( local support). I cant help thinking that if they don't adjust, or bring out a slightly more competitive menu, they might lose local favour/support, when it would most definitely be needed in the winter months. My 3 stars are awarded for: *The venue, because it truly is a lovely peaceful venue. *The wine was stunning, and that on its own deserved 5 stars, and was well priced.... *The taste of the spiced chops was also very good. If you are looking for something different, I still think it's a unique experience for those liking a "farm-styled" environment within the city limits. But, I didn't take away the feeling of a "good meal" experience, rather that I had a good...

What a wonderful, relaxingly quiet winefarm! Tasting room and restaurant with a beautiful cozy corner next to a small fireplace, or when busier (I guess) in front of a big fireplace. In summer you can sit on the big stoep or outside on the grass, overlooking vineyards and a meadow with cows and a donkey. Nice wine tasting of 5 of their wines for R75. Don't miss out on their pinotage made from premium free-flow juice. Worth the trip for this alone! Their menu also looks super delicious with lots of local food. I've had only freshly baked potbrood with fish pate and jam for a snack. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. If you want to bring dogs with, it is advised to call ahead of time to arrange, because they have the most beautiful and friendly Great Dane. This will definitely become one of my regularly visited wine destinations around...