After more than a decade of producing small-batch Méthode Cap Classique wines without setting down roots, Melissa Nelsen’s, the doyenne behind Genevieve MCC, has found a home for her finely crafted and utterly delicious wines.

Determined to make sparkling wine of unsurpassed quality in the style of French Champagne, Melissa produced her first vintage of MCC in 2008 from a small pocket of chardonnay grapes, located in the Van der Stel Pass in Botriver.

The brand’s name originated from Melissa’s middle name, Genevieve, which her parents gave her in honour of the patron saint of Paris in France.

“The initial decision on how much to make on a maiden vintage was based on the premise that it should be more than we and our friends could drink by ourselves, so I’d be forced to go out and sell the rest!” says Melissa. The result was 5 000 bottles – “Quite a lot more than we could drink ourselves!”

In 2011, production doubled to 10 000 bottles and today Genevieve MCC is available in top restaurants and wine shops across South Africa, as well as Europe and Canada.

Up until 2017, grapes came from pockets of Chardonnay across the region, but this changed when she discovered a working farm where her dream for a space to give visitors the “MCC experience” became a reality.

The new tasting room, located just off the Karwyderskraal Road, is situated in an old barn that has been restored to its former glory. The rustic yet sleek farm-style venue spills out onto a spacious courtyard where hundreds of guests can be accommodated with ease, making it the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.

In addition to the tasting room, named Journey, the Klein Botriver farm also houses two stylishly decorated self-catering cottages that provide a beautiful blend of luxurious indoor and outdoor living, surrounded by rolling vineyards and picturesque countryside.

Those who know Melissa will agree that her wines describe her perfectly: strong and powerful, yet elegant and pure. These characteristics are evident in the maiden vintage of the Genevieve MCC Zero Dosage 2015.

“Only first-pressed cuvée juice is used and kept for a minimum of four years on the lees, with periodical assessments,” she says. “The aim is to show the purest expression of terroir and the Cap Classique quality without any added dosage.

If you are looking for down-to-earth, laid-back hospitality – and lots of ‘real wine made by real people’, then a visit to the new home of Genevieve MCC is a must. Keep in mind that wine tasting is by appointment, so be sure to contact Melissa before you arrive.

Book a tasting by emailing [email protected]