Rust en Vrede and Ernie Els get double gold

Date: 23/10/2006

Rust en Vrede Estate and Ernie Els Wines were amongst only a handful of South African wineries that walked away with the top awards at the prestigious 2006 Veritas Awards ceremony recently, earning three double golds – the best for any red wine producer in South Africa.

Rust en Vrede Wine Estate won two double gold medals for the Rust en Vrede Merlot 2004 and for their red blend, Rust en Vrede Estate 2003, while neighbouring Ernie Els Winery also scored one double gold medal for Engelbrecht Els Proprietor's Blend 2004.

The Veritas Awards – South Africa’s largest competition for market-ready wines – are presented annually by the South African National Wine Show Association and give recognition to wines of exceptional quality.

Jean Engelbrecht, proprietor of Rust en Vrede and co-proprietor of Ernie Els Winery, is justifiably proud that these three reds were amongst the 21 red wines that scored double gold in the competition. In total 36 wines earned double gold medals, accounting for only 2% of the 1700 wines entered.

Engelbrecht paid tribute to the staff of both establishments. “Our Veritas double gold medals are testimony to the skill and expertise of the wine-makers at both wineries. In my opinion, our head wine-maker, Louis Strydom, has now established himself as the leading red-blend wine-maker in the country.”

After a two year absence, Jean Engelbrecht has taken over the reins of Rust en Vrede from his father, Jannie. The agreement for Jean to resume control of the Estate marked the end of a long period of strife in the family. “We are all relieved that this difficult time in our family is over and we are all pleased to be moving forward,” said Engelbrecht.

Originally founded in 1694, Rust en Vrede is considered a first growth estate. As early as the 1970s, Jannie took the strategic decision to solely produce red wines. This focus led to the Estate’s rise in prominence during the following two decades and an increasing recognition of the quality of Rust en Vrede’s reds.

Taking over the farm in 1997, Jean Engelbrecht appointed celebrated local wine-maker, Louis Strydom, and together they engineered a variety of developments. They took the bold step of removing old vines and planting new virus-free clones over a three-year period, and at the same time concentrated on modernising the style of their wines.

This period of consolidation also saw the establishment of the Guardian Peak range as a second label to Rust en Vrede, and the decision was also made to produce only one flagship wine – The Estate – under the Rust en Vrede label. At this time Engelbrecht explored the largely untapped US market and was rewarded by having the Rust en Vrede Estate, rated in the Top 100 Wines of the World for four consecutive years.

Engelbrecht and long-time friend Ernie Els joined forces in the late 1990s and established Engelbrecht Els Vineyards, once again bringing Strydom onboard. In 2001 they released the now legendary Ernie Els Signature Blend. Its first vintage was given the highest rating ever of any South African red wine rated by the influential Wine Spectator Magazine. This outstanding wine has gone on to garner many more international accolades.

In December 2004 Jean and Ernie opened the state-of-the-art Ernie Els Winery on the slopes of the Helderberg, followed in December 2005 with a brand new Guardian Peak Winery on the adjacent property. They have now amassed one of South Africa’s most impressive red wine portfolios headed up by a proverbial “dream team” comprising wine-makers Louis Strydom and Coenie Snyman and brand manager, Duncan Woods, thereby putting South African red wines firmly on the world map.

“Nearly 8 years ago Ernie and I embarked on this exciting venture from within the Rust en Vrede winery and in a short period we have been able to establish a portfolio of which we can be proud. This however would not have been possible without the contribution of long-time team members, Louis Strydom and Duncan Woods. With Rust en Vrede, our Grande Dame, now back in the fold, we truly embrace both the old and the new world. ”

Jean Engelbrecht is convinced that the three wineries are poised to make an even bigger impact on both the South African and international markets. “The range of wines and the intellectual capital within our portfolio have created a synergy that will keep us on the cutting-edge of wine-making and brand-building internationally,” he added.