Anthonij Rupert
South Africa
About
Anthonij Rupert Wyne was founded on the farm L’Ormarins, Franschhoek. It was originally owned by the late Anthonij Rupert and taken over by his brother Johann Rupert in 2003. He constructed a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, catapulting the farm into a prestigious wine estate. The focus is on terroir specific wines produced from a number of sites; each site offering optimum varietal specific growing conditions, allowing the estate to adhere to the requirements of their different brands.
Winemaker
Mark van Buuren
Mark van Buuren started his career as assistant winemaker at Hartenberg Estate under the mentorship of celebrated winemaker, Carl Schultz.
His passion and drive saw him carve out a successful career for himself locally, before leaving Guardian Peak Wines in 2009 to further his career in Australia.
After 5 years abroad, he returned home in November 2013 to join the team at Anthonij Rupert Wines, where he now oversees all white and rosé wine production of the Protea, Terra del Capo and the Cape of Good Hope range. The Cape of Good Hope range is making its way into the history books of South Africa with its old vine and site specific wines. Mark has a vast understanding of winemaking and is blessed with a down-to-earth approach, he is destined to take the Cape of Good Hope range to even greater heights.
Viticulturist
Deborah Isaacs
Viticulturist Deborah Isaacs was born in Jamestown, Stellenbosch and is a supremely motivated and focussed individual. She matriculated with straight A’s but after realising that a degree in accounting was never going to fulfil her, she took a gap year. “I realised that I needed to be outside so was considering something in agriculture or possibly nature conservation.” But then she was offered a bursary for formerly disadvantaged students by the Stellenbosch University’s student support services. This she graduated Cum Laude.
That set a chain of events in motion which ultimately resulted in Isaacs being appointed one of the few full-time female viticulturists in South Africa – and then stepping into very big shoes when her mentor Rosa Kruger left. Isaacs has a big job, overseeing all aspects of viticulture at the Anthonij Rupert home farm as well as at Altima which is in the Elandskloof near Villiersdorp; Groenekloof near Darling and also at Riebeeksrivier near Riebeek West in the Swartland. She waxes lyrical about the multitude of grapes and terroirs available to Anthonij Rupert Wines. Isaacs acknowledges that she feels driven to succeed, pushing herself hard –She admits she “loves to learn” and is keen to continue studying, and is actively considering a Masters degree taking an interest in the effects of climate change on viticulture.
