This day marks the founding of McGregor Co-operative Winery and of the 26 farmers present at the meeting, 11 of them sign membership forms. From these new members 5 are selected to serve as the first Board of Directors.
Mr. P.J. Marais gets appointed as manager.
Mr. J.C. Fouché is requested to deliver the first load of grapes in order to test all the machinery. More members arrive with additional loads of grapes causing slight consternation and more than a few headaches.
The biggest intake of the 1950 harvest amounted to 214 Tons which resulted in the creation of the dreaded harvest quota set at 150 Tons per day. A total of 2 890 was delivered during the 1950 harvest.
The Board of Directors decide to expand the cellar by adding storage facilities for an additional 7 000 Hectolitres.
Major changes happen in 1971. A new office complex and offloading area is built and McGregor starts to actively compete in young wine shows.
Wine quality tops the agenda and it pays of when McGregor wins the award for best wine at the Breederiver Wineshow.
This is also the year in which the first stainless steel tanks, with a capacity of 100 000L each, is installed.
McGregor wins the title of making the best white wine in South Africa bringing with it notoriety to both McGregor cellar and the whole wine growing area.
The cellar's first Cabernet Sauvignon grapes is produced and delivered by Mr. J.S. Naudé.
Maintenance are done and new ``roofs`` are installed on the 6 000 HL steel tanks.
The first wine is sent to Breede RiverValley Bottling in Worcester to be bottled.
McGregor makes their first Noble Late Harvest.
McGregor exceeds a harvest total of 7 000 Tons for the first time and on 8 November 1980 the newly completed office complex and weighbridge are inaugurated.
HIERDIE GEBOU IS GEOPEN OP 8 NOVEMBER 1980 DEUR MNR. M.S. DU P. LE ROUX BESTURENDE DIREKTEUR OUDE MEESTER GROEP
THIS BUILDING IS OPENED ON 8 NOVEMBER 1980 BY MR. M.S. DU P. LE ROUX MANAGING DIRECTOR OUDE MEESTER GROUP
State President Mr. Marais Viljoen and his wife Mrs. Marietjie Viljoen visit the graves of his parents that is situated on the farm Takkap owned by a McGregor producer member
``Geagte Mnr. Van der Merwe, Ons was vandag baie verras om die pragtige foto's te kon ontvang van ons besoek aan McGregor. Baie dankie daarvoor en ook vir die wyn wat u vir ons na Takkap gestuur het. Ons waardeer dit opreg. Met Vriendelike groete, Marietjie Viljoen``
During this time McGregor gained the reputation for making exceptional quality Colombar and wins the trophy for Champion White Wine in both 1985 & 1986.
Another highlight would include a gold medal at the Veritas Wine Show for a full sweet Muscadel.
A new era is ushered in with the opening of international markets to South Africa and the South African wine industry. McGregor’s unique influence is described as a co-operative winery with wine estate characteristics.
To further build on McGregor's image a new lable is designed by Cape Town based Patricia Fraser Design. The new design incorporates the red and green tartan that will eventually become synonymous with McGregor.
The cellar’s cooling facilities are upgraded
This year’s annual harvest reaches the 11 000 Ton mark to set a new harvest record.
The offloading area is completely rebuilt and upgraded for more effective handling of the grape intake during harvest.
The large external tanks are moved to make space for a new cellar building that will be filled with new stainless steel tanks.
The first automated fermentation tanks are installed during 1999 and the red wine cellar is finally completed during 2002.
This year sees the founding of The McGregor Wine Company. Its main purpose is to serve as the marketing company for McGregor’s own brand.
A record harvest of 12 519 Tons is received, exceeding the norm of 10 000 Tons per annum with over 2 500 Tons.
This new harvest record and a controlled strategy for growth sees a new red wine fermentation cellar being built.
During this time frame various expansion and improvement projects are tackled including the building of additional cellar capacity and acquisition of modern technology.
Member farmers of McGregor deliver a record harvest of 14 414 Tons.
These standout years see McGregor winning multiple awards in multiple competitions, most notably the Robertson and SA Young Wine Shows, Veritas & Michelangelo.
Member farmers and selected industry leaders commemorate McGregor's 70th year of existence. Champagne and an evening of celebrations marks the event.
McGregor’s CEO, Mr. Jacques Jordaan, approaches Roodezandt Management on behalf of the Board of Directors to discuss the possibility of an amalgamation.
The Executive Committees of both Roodezandt and McGregor Co-ops meet to discuss the possibility and probability of an amalgamation.
The combined Board of Directors from both Co-operative cellars sign a Cooperation Agreement for the 2020 harvest irrespective of the final decision.
The member farmers of both Roodezandt and McGregor Co-operative Wineries meet separately to vote on the proposed amalgamation. The votes are counted by independent officials and a result of 95+% in favour of amalgamating is achieved.
During the course of the year the majority of McGregor's administrative personnel is moved to Roodezandt's Robertson premises which is set to become Roodezandt RF's headoffice once the amalgamation is complete.
Roodezandt (RF) (Pty) Ltd is officially registered with the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission.
The first AGM of Roodezandt (RF) (Pty) Ltd is held and a new Board of Directors, Chairman, Vice-chairman and Executive Committee is appointed to usher us into the future.
This marks the start of the first official harvest as Roodezandt (RF) (Pty) Ltd under the new logo designed to represent the identities of both the historical Roodezandt and McGregor Co-ops.