This is a story about more than just a dog.
In 1993 we launched our maiden Bordeaux-style red blend, calling it Faithful Hound. As it was inspired by an unswervingly loyal and devoted dog, our intention was to make a wine that would stay true to its style, never wavering or caving in to passing trends.
From the get-go Mulderbosch Faithful Hound has been a winner. We’re happy and proud to say it’s been that way for close on 30 years now. And while its popularity grows, so does its international and local critical acclaim.
But back, for a moment, to the faithful hound that lived out his days on the farm. Many years passed and beloved as he’d been, after 21 years we felt in need of a label update. We wanted a strong, visually compelling look, with good shelf standout, that would focus primarily on the contents of the bottle. And so, we took the dog out of the picture.
But over the years, people would continue to ask: “What happened to the dog on the label?”
Faithful Hound wasn’t just a representation of a once-loved dog. He’d become a symbol of constancy and fidelity. So, to show our appreciation for the constancy and fidelity wine lovers have extended to us, he’s back on the label. This time with a lifted tail, signalling a joyful, upbeat outlook and Mulderbosch’s belief in the future. His optimistic tail also reminds us to make the most of life.
And now, to what’s inside the bottle: our special corner of Stellenbosch has and always will be our guiding star. We still harvest the same fine vineyards here, but as we’ve learned more about the myriad intricacies of our precious eco-systems, we’ve made important farming improvements. We’ve invested in low-impact weed control and that means NO pesticides. We use only organic fertiliser to nourish the soil. We’ve cut down on water consumption in the vineyards and the cellar. And we’ve installed solar power in our cellar and our production line to further enhance energy saving.
We also conserve more indigenous habitat (have a look at our flora and fauna and our marshlands, on the farm or on our website, when you get a chance). We’ve also stepped up our integrated pest management (have a look at our owl family, for instance). We’ve made it our mission to farm better, wiser, and more regeneratively with the health of the soil as our starting point.
The 2019 vintage of Faithful Hound features all five Bordeaux varieties, with Cabernet Franc in the lead (29%), followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Merlot (22%), Malbec (12%) and Petit Verdot (12%). It’s a rich but refined blend of complexity and depth. It unfurls layer by layer to reveal a bounty of beautifully integrated berry and savoury notes, supported by fine-grained tannins.
It will give you great pleasure now, but it has the staying power to last another 10 years at least. The composition will change slightly from year to year to accommodate vintage expression, but the style will remain constant. As will our appreciation for your loyalty.