“What our industry has been lacking in the past is telling the story. I have travelled endless amounts all over the world to tell the story about what makes South Africa, through Raats Family Wines, through Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Blanc, what makes us unique.”
Award-winning winemaker Bruwer has received international and local acclaim during his highly acclaimed career as a cellarmaster and winemaker par excellence. After several successful stints at prestigious wine estates in the Banhoek Valley in Stellenbosch, Bruwer established his own brand in 2000 – Raats Family Wines, situated in the ward of Polkadraai, Stellenbosch.
Raats Family Wines specialises in two varieties – Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Raats is passionate about these two single varieties and firmly believes that South African winemakers are sitting on an untapped goldmine when it comes to Chenin. Raats has received recognition from top international and local wine writers such as Neal Martin (then of The Wine Advocate), Tim Atkin MW, Wine Spectator and Christian Eedes.
In 2004, Bruwer and his lifelong friend Mzokhona Mvemve founded MR de Compostella. They combined their artistry to create a singular wine that transcends time. A wine driven by its leading component, quality, they take the very best of each variety in each vintage to create an ultra-premium wine of distinction.