Sjaak Nelson

Winemaker
Jordan Wine Estate
Sjaak Nelson, the winemaker at Jordan Wine Estate, grew up in the vineyards on a Tulbagh estate.

Sjaak grew up in the vineyards on a Tulbagh estate. Although surrounded by vines he went to Boland College to study Business Management for 3 years. Once graduated and in need of work he went to assist for a week at Tulbagh Co-op. A week turned into 3 years as he made him indispensable. Here, Sjaak learnt the grading of grapes and importance of quality of quantity. He moved on after successfully managing 3 harvests, to Saxenburg, a Stellenbosch wine estate. It didn’t take long before he moved over to his neighbours at Jordan Wine Estate.

15 years later, Sjaak has proved himself year after year with producing award winning wines with Gary and Kathy Jordan.

Sjaak is part of the Jordan family and knows each corner of the winery inside out. If he is not in the cellar he is on his bike cycling the mountain ranges of the Cape.