About Merlot SA

The History of Merlot SA

The origins of Merlot SA can be traced back to 2005, when the idea of creating a dedicated varietal organisation for Merlot in South Africa was first conceived.

The initiative was originally driven by Charl Theron, representing the Varietal Groups of VINPRO, together with Duimpy Bailey, Chairperson of the SANW (South African National Wine Show Association), and Charles Hopkins. In September 2005, they approached Dr. Etienne Terblanche with the proposal to establish a varietal group focused specifically on Merlot, with the aim of advancing knowledge, encouraging discussion, and promoting excellence in the production of South African Merlot wines.

To form the founding committee, Elsa Carstens, Marco Ventrella, Carl Schulz, and Dr. Etienne Terblanche were invited to serve as the initial members. At the time, Carl Schulz was enjoying international recognition, having been named Diners Club Winemaker of the Year 2005 in South Africa and receiving further acclaim in London. Recognising the value of technical expertise and industry insight, Dr. Terblanche also invited Martin Moore, convenor of the Veritas Merlot Panel, to join the founding group.

The first committee meeting was held in early December 2005, where the founding members defined the organisation’s objectives and mapped out a vision for the future. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Terblanche established the first website, merlotforum.co.za, as an online discussion platform for the growing Merlot community. The website went live in mid-December 2005 and became an important communication tool during the organisation’s formative years.

The organisation was originally established under the name Merlot Forum, reflecting its primary purpose of creating a platform for learning, discussion, and collaboration among South African producers and wine professionals. The inaugural meeting of the Merlot Forum took place on 20 April 2006, where the committee presented its programme, discussed industry priorities, and hosted a tasting of three South African Merlot wines.

Over the following years, the committee aimed to meet twice annually while hosting at least one member-focused event each year. As often happens in voluntary industry organisations, committee members faced increasing professional commitments, and founding members Elsa Carstens and Marco Ventrella eventually stepped down. Nevertheless, support continued to come from individuals such as Martin Moore, who remained actively involved despite not serving in an official capacity, as well as other contributors who joined over time, including Bennie Avenant of Yonder Hill and later Danielle le Roux in 2012.

For much of the organisation’s early history, Dr. Terblanche served as convenor and maintained the website, helping to sustain momentum and facilitate communication within the Merlot community. Interest in the Forum’s activities remained strong, and attendance at workshops and educational events demonstrated the industry's enthusiasm for advancing the understanding and quality of South African Merlot.

Among the notable events hosted during these formative years were:

10 December 2006 – The Influence of Irrigation on Merlot Wines
28 August 2007 – Tasting Procedures of Merlot Wines
14 July 2009 – "Green Merlot": What Does "Green" Mean in the Language of Wine?
22 May 2012 – Ripeness According to Wine Styles at Yonder Hill Winery, presented with Prof. AJ Deloire
August–September 2012 – Roadshow featuring tastings of Veritas Award-Winning Merlot Wines

These workshops, together with numerous committee meetings and member gatherings, helped establish a platform where producers, winemakers, viticulturists, and industry professionals could exchange ideas, share research, and deepen their understanding of Merlot.

A significant turning point came in 2012 when Danielle le Roux assumed leadership of the Merlot Forum. Building on the strong foundation established during the organisation’s early years, she elevated the Forum to a new level of professionalism, expanding its reach and strengthening its position within the South African wine industry.As the organisation evolved, so did its identity.

In 2019, the Merlot Forum adopted the name Hallo Merlot, reflecting a renewed focus on engaging consumers and celebrating South African Merlot in a more accessible and contemporary way. The rebrand marked an important chapter in the organisation’s development while continuing the original mission of championing the variety.

Today, operating as Merlot SA, the organisation continues to build on the vision first established in 2005. From its beginnings as the Merlot Forum, through its Hallo Merlot chapter, and into its current form, the organisation remains committed to promoting excellence in South African Merlot, fostering collaboration across the industry, and celebrating one of the country's most important and versatile red wine varieties.