It was terribly neglected and unfarmed, containing just a few dilapidated buildings. However, its rich soil had lain fallow for almost a century.
It was in this earth that one of the Cape's most successful partnerships turned Mulderbosch around. Winemaker Mike Dobrovic, better known as Mr. Sauvignon Blanc SA, joined Larry and together they cleaned up the property and planted the first vineyards. A cellar was later built and Mike set about creating the first wines - a Sauvignon Blanc, a Blanc Fumé and a Chardonnay. Little did they know that the wines that they would produce would attract glowing accolades and a clutch of awards, as well as a surge of international orders.
The popularity of Mulderbosch's stylish Sauvignon Blanc cited as "South Africa's most celebrated Sauvignon" by local wine guru, John Platter - placed the farm firmly on the international map. Since those early days, new homes have been built and the sloping hills and valleys of the farm are now planted with 26 hectares of neatly trellised vineyard.
In 1996 Larry sold the farm to a major Pretoria based group called Hydro Holdings. Mike stayed on ensuring that none of the magic would disappear from Mulderbosch wines. The new owners, Hydro Holdings, could not be more enthusiastic and supportive. A new, state- of-the-art bottling line was among the improvements that were immediately made to the cellar, as well as extensions to the existing facilities.
Late 2009, early 2010 ushered in a new era in the history of Mulderbosch and sister winery Kanu with Managing Director (and former partial shareholder) Ben Truter and his family trust taking control of the company. Mike Dobrovic decided it was time to let go and opted for a more relaxed lifestyle. Mulderbosch had moved from cottage industry to resoundingly successful winery with global demand. It was a natural progression that Richard Kershaw (see profile below) take over the helm and he was duly appointed group cellar master for Mulderbosch and Kanu. Annalie van Dyk currently serves as assistant winemaker at Mulderbosch.