The Wine Maker

“Our vision is to be recognised for fine, individual and unique wines, made from the best grapes, by a passionate enthusiastic team, where the spirit of the people and nature combine,” says winemaker Jaco Marais.

After Jaco obtained his B.Sc. (Agric.) Viticulture & Oenology degree, he worked as a cellar assistant at Windmeul Wine Cellars for the 1994 harvest. He then worked at Bottellary, Stellenbosch and at Matanzas Creek Winery in California during their respective harvest seasons. In 1995 Jaco was appointed Head Wine Maker of Excelsior Estate in Robertson. By the time he left in 2003, the Estate had already started producing wines under their own label and was exporting 90% of the production to the USA, UK, Germany, The Netherlands, China and Canada.

Based on his reputation and list of awards, Jaco Marais was then appointed Winemaker to the previously-named Agusta Wines in October 2003. It is his desire to produce wines of consistent quality that makes Grande Provence an Estate recognised amongst connoisseurs the world over.