5th November 2025 | Top Drops | 5 minute read
We’re excited to announce that Virgin Wines is one of the first major UK retailers to stock Mont Rochelle, a collection of world-class wines from the heart of the Cape Winelands. Crafted at Richard Branson’s vineyard in South Africa’s “French Corner”, Mont Rochelle is part of the Virgin Limited Edition collection.
Discover a stunning vineyard and hotel, nestled in the Franschhoek region, that dates back to the 1850s. With a rich history and a wealth of grape varieties grown across its breathtaking estate, Mont Rochelle is a huge addition to our ever-growing range of wines.
Mont Rochelle sits at the foot of the picturesque Klein Dassenberg Mountain Range, which benefits from varied microclimates due to the Mediterranean-like conditions of dry summers and 1000mm of winter rainfall. This makes it an ideal area for growing a diverse variety of grapes, from crisp Sauvignon Blanc to full and fruity Syrah.
Cellar Master, Michael Langenhoven, is no newcomer, with an impressive history of making wines at Boschendal, La Motte, Rhône Valley, Sancerre and California’s Dry Creek Vineyards. With 22 harvests under his belt, his wines have earned numerous accolades, a testament to his dedication and passion for the art of making wine.
“As a boutique winery, Mont Rochelle is truly a hidden gem in the Franschhoek Valley. Here, I have the privilege of crafting premium world-class wines that reflect my passion for winemaking, something I hope is felt in every glass. At Mont Rochelle our wines truly have a heartbeat!” – Michael Langenhoven, Cellar Master
Now onto the exciting bit, the wines. We’ve added four new Mont Rochelle wines to our range, each with their own personality and charm, so there’s something for everyone.
Let’s start with the reds. This Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich and refined, full-bodied wine that’ll benefit beautifully from decanting and serving alongside roast meats or aged cheese.
A Cabernet with excellent depth of fruit and wonderful balance, indulge in its delicious palate of ripe blackcurrant, plum jam and lifted oak spices.
Another standout red from the collection is the Syrah. Full-bodied with layers of ripe black fruit and pepper, it’s a perfect partner for roast lamb and rosemary potatoes.
Expect a densely fruited palate with hints of spice, velvety tannins and a supple texture that showcases the purity of this grape variety from an exceptional vintage.
For white wine drinkers, we have a zesty, fruit-driven style of Sauvignon Blanc which portrays tropical fruit aromas, and has a broad palate with lovely freshness and complexity.
Crisp, vibrant and displaying fresh blackcurrant, passion fruit and gooseberry, this bright white is a wonderful expression of a cool-climate winemaking region.
Finally, we’ve got a premium, very modern Chardonnay that combines bright citrus and stone fruits with subtle, creamy oak and finesse to create a super food-friendly wine. It pairs fantastically with seafood, roast chicken or creamy pasta.
Pale straw in the glass with golden hues, displaying lemon curd and pineapple characters on the nose that slide into a palate of stone fruits, this white is refreshingly long, with a mineral-edged finish.
To celebrate the launch of Mont Rochelle at Virgin Wines, we’ve put together some exclusive cases and discounted them so you can try the full range at a lower price. You’ll struggle to find these bottles anywhere else in the UK, so take advantage of our exclusive relationship with Virgin Limited Edition whilst you can!
