The French Huguenots arrived in the Cape in the 1680s. Those with winemaking experience came from La Rochelle, the traditional export harbour for the famous brandies of Cognac. More than 300 years later, a very well established Cognac family arrived in the Cape and became the vigorous owners of Morgenhof. Originally granted in 1692, Morgenhof has had many owners in its time but none quite as dynamic as Anne Cointreau. The Cointreaus are steeped in Cognac and liqueurs, definitely not through consumption but certainly through history. Anne can trace her family tree back to 1210 when the family was already in the business. Anne Cointreau brought with her tremendous knowledge and expertise flowing from her family involvement in the great Cognacs and liqueurs. Morgenhof Wine Estate, situated on the slopes of the Simonsberg mountains outside Stellenbosch, falls under the Simonsberg appellation. This area is renowned for the production of the highest quality grapes producing top quality wines. At the end of 1998, Morgenhof was granted "Estate", status. "The dedication of the Morgenhof Team, to making quality wines for consumption worldwide, begins in the vineyards, following through to final production."