Background

Originally established as Romansrivier Winery in 1949, the success of wines bottled under the Mountain Ridge label in local and international markets prompted the decision to rename the winery to Mountain Ridge, which was well-received by agents, retailers and consumers

Mountain Ridge has come a long way since it was established as Romansrivier on the 5th March 1949. Some of the interesting milestones and facts include:
The first 50 years...

 The first directors meeting was held at the Romansrivier School on 25th May 1949, with Mr Hempa Rademeyer as the first Chairman. Mr Rademeyer served as Chairman for 22 years before being succeeded by Mr Dawie Conradie, who served as a director for 31 years, 23 years of which were as Chairman.

 The first harvest was delivered by 20 members in 1950 by 3136 tons.
 In 1956, Romansrivier bought their first harvesting machine, received power and the first cool rooms were built.

 The record harvest was in 1973, with 12 984 tons.
 The first auditors were Galloway and Brink, with Price Waterhouse Coopers fulfilling this role since 1992.

 The first wine bottled was a Dry Red Cinsaut in 1976.
 In 1977, the cellar won its first award, a trophy at the Cape Wine Show for the Clairetter Blanche, under winemaker Olla Oliver.

 From 1977 to 1980, the cellar consistently won awards for the Champion Dry White Wine at the Cape Wine Show.

 Olla Oliver again won awards for the Columbar Semi-Sweet Wine in 1981 and 1983.
 Under winemaker Albie Treuenicht, Romansrivier won 3 Class Winners and the Champion Cabernet Sauvignon at the Worcester Young Wine Show in 1999.
The new millennium...

 As a result of a movement towards fruit farming in 2001, the tons delivered dropped to 5673 tons in 2001. This resulted in a decision to take in the harvest and then to close the cellar.

 Francois Conradie served as Chairman until 2002 before being succeeded by Mr Jannie Smuts.

 With the assistance of Olla Oliver, previous winemaker, the cellar was re-opened in November 2002 with Francois Agenbach as winemaker and Nellis Thiart as Secretary and Accountant, both tasked with leading the cellar back to success.
 The 2002/3 harvest of 6233 tons was then supplied by existing members in the Wolseley area, as well as contractors from the Vredendal, Malmesbury and Ceres regions.

 The 2004 harvest was 7500 tons, with current harvests in the region of 8500 tons.
 Although the core business is bulk wine, Romansrivier started bottling wine under the Mountain Ridge label.

 In 2003, winemaker Francois Agenbag received a Gold Award for his Champion Dry Red Shiraz as well as the Champion Pinotage at the Worcester Young Wine Show.
 Romansrivier Winery changed its name to Mountain Ridge Wines on the 13th July 2006, also signaling a change in the style of wines produced, with a larger selection of easy drinking white and red wines, as well as oak matured red wines.
 The name-change was bought about through the success of the Mountain Ridge brand in local and international markets, with the new name well-accepted by retailers, agents and consumers alike.

 Francois Agenbach continues the tradition of award winning wines. Apart from numerous awards over the years, Francois clinched the sixth Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year title in 2006.

 The present Chairman is Mr Jacques Viljoen.

 Mountain Ridge Wines consists of 31 members today.

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