Anthonij Rupert Wyne was founded on the farm L’Ormarins in Franschhoek. Today the portfolio includes a number of sites across the Cape winelands: Rooderust in Darling, Riebeeksrivier in the Swartland and Altima in the isolated Elandskloof. Individually each site offers optimum varietal-specific growing conditions, allowing Anthonij Rupert Wyne to adhere to the requirements of each individual brand.

Representing a number of specified brands, the Cape of Good Hope brand falls under this umbrella and is the result of a greater initiative to protect and establish the old vines of the Cape as desirable, if not preferred, quality producers of diverse, superior, terroir-specific wines.

South Africa has very few ‘old’ vines. In fact, of the estimated 3 538 hectares, 1 376 are sultana, leaving only 2 162 as legitimately ‘old’.

For the Cape of Good Hope range we have found (and in some cases, saved) these vineyards, the wines highlighting the virtues of our ‘old vines’ and putting a premium on terroir-specific South African wines, both locally and internationally.

The 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.

The 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.