Bloemendal Wine Estate, one of South Africa’s most historic vineyards, linked to a former politician and anti-apartheid activist, is hitting the auction block this month, with brokers asking for at least 180 million rand ($11 million).
Located in the Cape Winelands, often referred to as the “Napa Valley of Africa”, the 238-hectare (588-acre) estate will be offered as a fully operational and profitable business on March 25, according to a bid package from Rawson Auctions.
The property comprises a winery, wine-tasting room, manor house, stables, restaurants, and conference facilities, according to a Bloomberg report.
Three Centuries of Wine and History
Bloemendal has been around for more than 300 years. Back in the day, it supplied Dutch East India Company ships with fresh produce as they sailed around the Cape of Good Hope. Today, it’s known for its award-winning wines, from chenin blanc and chardonnay to pinotage and cabernet sauvignon.
Over the years, the estate has had some high-profile owners, including Tokyo Sexwale, the anti-apartheid activist who shared Robben Island with Nelson Mandela and later became Gauteng’s first democratic premier.
After leaving politics, he built a business empire that included mining and other investments. The current owner of Bloemendal hasn’t been disclosed.
The upcoming auction follows a failed attempt to sell the estate last year. Anyone interested needs to prove they have at least 200 million rand, provide ID and tax documents, and put down a 5% non-refundable deposit once their bid is accepted—the rest is due within two weeks.
In the late 1990s, Sexwale, alongside current President Cyril Ramaphosa, was considered a potential, if long-shot, successor to Nelson Mandela. Ultimately, Thabo Mbeki became South Africa’s second democratic-era president.
