Centuries later, in 1943 Bernard Podlashuk, a pioneer and innovator acquired the farm and soon after that in 1949 the first South African Rosé was produced. There were a couple more firsts for Bellingham with the bottling of the first extra dry white wine, Premier Grand Cru in 1951 and the first Shiraz marketed in South Africa in 1956. Podlashuk went on to produce the Bellingham Johannisberger in its unique, curvaceous bottle in that same year, which continues to be the top selling wine in the semi-sweet category in South Africa.
The 80's and 90's saw vineyard developments, cellar extensions and the beginning of Bellingham's 'classic-new world' winemaking philosophy. The new century saw a shift in the Bellingham portfolio and the 'The Maverick' range of wines was launched in 2002, now called 'Bernard Podlashuk The Maverick Winemaker'. These wines challenge convention and custom, boldly exploring new territories in the fine art of crafting wine, receiving various international awards and acclaim.
Today, we greet the new face of Bellingham - a graciouis bow to our heritage - our roots.