The Foundry is the personal project of Chris Williams, winemaker at Meerlust, along with friend and business partner James Reid. Chris spent his apprenticeship under Georgio dalla Cia at Meerlust and did a ‘stage’ in Pomerol with Michel Rolland before leaving in 1999 to set himself up as a consultant. During this period, he took on the challenge of winemaker at Delaire in Stellenbosch, but when Giorgio finally announced his retirement, the Myburghs invited Chris to return to Meerlust as cellar master, a post he took up in time for the 2004 vintage.

Apparently, during this period, his mail was still being delivered to the farm, such was his emotional connection to the estate. The condition of his return to Meerlust was that The Foundry could continue unhindered so, after three vintages, the project secured a more permanent home.
The Foundry rapidly gained critical acclaim on the South African wine scene. Its maiden vintage (2001) Syrah was awarded a five star rating (one of only 17 for the year) in the 2004 John Platter Guide, and its wines remain excellent to this day.