More Than Eight Decades of Montagu Winemaking

The story of Montagu Winery begins on 17 March 1941, when 15 local farmers came together to establish a co-operative under the leadership of chairman Mr D.J. Burger Snr.

Their goal was simple but ambitious: to create a shared future for grape growers in the Montagu district.

Premises were purchased in Bath Street and production began the following year, with the fledgling cellar processing approximately 800 tonnes of grapes during its earliest years.

It was the beginning of a story that would grow far beyond what those first members could have imagined.

The winery expanded rapidly and, by 1948, a larger cellar was needed.

Under the chairmanship of K.W. Carl du Toit, a new facility was established at the site where Montagu Winery remains today.
The cellar was developed and its early wines made under the guidance of wine pioneers Dr Costa and Mr Moni.

It was here that wines including the well-known Monis Marsala and Moscato were produced, establishing an early connection between the Montagu cellar and the sweet and fortified wine styles that would become such an important part of its heritage.

Some of the principles and traditional techniques from those early years continue to influence our winemaking today.

As the South African wine industry evolved, so did the winery.
In 1962, under chairman Mr Johan Viljoen, the cellar began producing Rebate Wine, a base wine destined for brandy distillation. This was followed by the introduction of dry white table wine in 1968.

Another important development came in 1970, when specialised equipment was imported from West Germany for the production of grape concentrate.

Using a vacuum process, water is gently removed from fresh grape juice to produce a concentrated, naturally sweet grape product.
The concentrate facility remains part of the winery today - a reminder that innovation has long gone hand in hand with tradition at Montagu.

During its history, the organisation underwent several name changes as both its membership and production evolved.

Having been known for a period as the Montagu Muskadelboere Koöperatief, the organisation became Montagu Wynkelder Landbou Koöperatief Beperk in 1972 as the cellar's production grew increasingly diverse.

Today, we are known simply as Montagu Winery.

From the modest volumes processed during the winery's earliest years, grape intake grew steadily over the decades.

By 1998, annual deliveries had exceeded 14,000 tonnes.

In 2026, Montagu Winery reached another milestone with a record harvest of approximately 19,000 tonnes of grapes.

The numbers tell a story of growth.
The greater story, however, is one of generations of farmers who chose to grow together.

Much has changed since 1941.

Winemaking technology has advanced. The cellar has grown.

Markets have changed and new generations have taken their place on the farms, but many of the values behind Montagu Winery have endured.

Family farms remain part of our membership. Muscadel remains part of our identity. And the mountains, valleys and vineyards surrounding Montagu remain at the centre of everything we do.

Our heritage is not something we simply look back on.

It is the foundation from which we move forward.