Old love story recaptured in Muratie's new vintages

Ansela van de Caab was born in the slave quarters at the Castle, having only a Christian name, her surname being 'van de Caab', Dutch for 'of the Cape', as was the case with all slaves born at the Cape at the time. The first owner of Muratie, a passionate and determined young German soldier called Laurens Campher, met Ansela at the Castle and fell in love with her. During their 14-year courtship, Laurens frequently walked the 64 kilometres to Cape Town and back, a three-day trip, to see his beloved Ansela. When she was eventually emancipated, Ansela returned as Laurens' wife, with their three children, to Muratie. The oak tree she planted to bless their marriage still stands on Muratie today, as does a small white house, their first home, built for them by Laurens.

The Ansela van de Caab is a classic Bordeaux-style blend and pairs perfectly with red meat or any savoury dishes, retailing nationally for approximately R175. The Laurens Campher is an off-dry wine, best savoured with creamy chicken dishes and mild, aromatic spice dishes and curries. It retails nationally for approximately R95.