By 1985 Clos Malverne had been supplying its wine grapes to Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery for a number of years, when Jeremy Walker, now of Grangehurst farm, suggested to Seymour at a braai that Christmas Eve that they make wine from Clos Malverne’s grapes. So, 800 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon were made in 1986, and this, and the 1987 vintage were so encouraging, that Seymour decided to go into winemaking full time. The Cabernet Sauvignon ’88 was the first release to the public, and a year later Jeremy Walker joined Seymour as full-time winemaker.
During the 90’s Clos Malverne grew from strength to strength and also increased vineyard plantations which consisted of Pinotage, Merlot and Shiraz and a whole range of red wines, with many being blends. In 1995 Clos Malverne was one of the very first wineries to produce a classic Cape Blend. The wine was such a success that the flagship wine, called Clos Malverne Auret, was changed from a Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot Bordeaux style blend to a Cape Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon / Pinotage). The Auret 1998 vintage was the first Cape Blend ever to receive 5-star status in the prestigious Platter Wine Guide.
