Get the latest Alliance news sent to your inbox - Sign Up to our Newsletter

Raats Family Wines, South Africa

After making wine around the world and honing his craft in the Cape, Bruwer Raats established Raats Family Wines in 2000, based on a policy of ‘excellence through specialisation’, focusing on two unfashionable grapes varieties at the time, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

Purchasing the only land he could afford, some relatively cheap and ‘undesirable’ plots in the Polkadraai Hills, it soon became apparent that the unique granite-based terroir was producing some incredible wines, and is now recognised as one of the finest wards in Stellenbosch. His Eden High Density Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, and the iconic MR de Compostella hold a place as some of South Africa’s finest wines and sit comfortably amongst the best expressions of the varieties on the planet.

Winemaking

Fruit mostly comes from 25-year+ old bush and trellised vines grown in both decomposed granite and Table Mountain sandstone soils. Vines are unirrigated and yield approximately 7 tons per hectare.

Highlights
  • A philosophy of ‘excellence through specialisation’, focusing on the once unfashionable grape varieties of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc.
  • The Polkadraai Hills, and their unique granite-based terroir is today recognised as one of the finest wards in Stellenbosch.
  • Awarded Winemaker of the Year by Tim Atkin MW in his South African Special Report 2023
"Raats Family Wines, Mvemve Raats and Bruwer Vintners were born out of a desire to make an impact and leave a meaningful legacy in the industry. We believe in family and working as a collective towards a bigger goal”.
Bruwer Raats
INSTAGRAM GET IN TOUCH ALL BOTTLE SHOTS