Since the year 2000 Winemaker Bruwer Raarts has devoted his life to creating two exceptional varieties of wine. These varieties, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, have ensured Raats Family Wines as masters in their craft.
Raats Family Wines is a deep family rooted business with the sons of Bruwer Raats and his cousin Gavin Bruwer, who joined the team in 2010, also working on the farm. Samuel Raats in the vineyards and cellar along with Gavin and Bruwer and Joshua Raats in the marketing team. Raats Family Wines, as pioneer and leader, is consistent in receiving local and international accolades.
Also on the team of three winemakers is Assistant Winemaker Chrissie Willems, who has been working for Raats Family Wines for 12 years. Out of the small team of seven members, four are family members and three have been with Raats Family Wines for 12 years and longer with a strong connection between them.
What has proven to be an incredibly successful collaboration between Bruwer Raats and fellow winemaker, also long-time friend, Mzokona Mvemve, has resulted in the single wine, speciality bottling of MR de Compostella.
The Raats Philosophy:
Founder Bruwer Raats, worked in Italy and France on wine farms before establishing Raats Family Wines in 2000. It was in the Loire Valley in France where Raats developed his passion for Cabernet Franc. Used mostly in blends, Cabernet Franc, as a high-risk variety, is not a common variety in South Africa. Raats tasked himself with finding the right terroir for Cabernet Franc, which he did, in the Polkadraai Hills.
Office- and Tasting Room Manager, Marika Donohoe explains, “The area is in close proximity to the ocean and with the constant breeze in the summer and the decomposed dolomite soils of Polkadraai Hills provides, it makes the area close to what you would expect from the Loire Valley and this ideal for the production of Cabernet Franc.”
“We aim to work with the best quality,” says Donohoe.
To consistently produce outstanding quality Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc from South Africa is a shared mission and the steadfast philosophy of Raats Family Wines continues to thrive.
The introduction of new, curated editions, including the well-received, vineyard-driven Bruwer Vintners range, has been introduced to the Raats Family Wines range.
Based in the winemaking capital of Stellenbosch, Bruwer, Mzokona and Gavin’s wine making criteria is meticulous and includes the quality of grape, soil, climate and topography. Together with the impact of the human hand it embodies the truest meaning of terroir.
Raats Tasting:
At Raats Family Wines their focus is to give you a bespoke tasting experience.
“We have a passion for exclusive experience and focus on smaller groups. The tasting experience is being presented in the owner’s house.” Donohoe explains that it is compulsory to make a booking for that reason. “The private tastings make it more personal, and we get to spend quality time with visitors.”
She says her personal favourite Raats wine is the Jasper Red. For Donohoe, a qualified chef, the hospitality industry does not come new, and she has been with the family for 13 years. “I developed my passion for wine whilst working on a different wine farm at the start of my career in the industry.” She continues to say that “you never get bored.”
Situated a mere 12km away from the ocean, the view from the tasting room balcony is astonishing. “On a nice sunshine day, you can see the Cape Point and Table Mountain,” says Donohoe
The tasting room is thoughtfully adorned to showcase the pride and joy of Raats Family Wines, highlighting their exclusive and quality offerings and the dedicated individuals behind the brand. Coupled with the friendly and knowledgeable tasting assistant, you can trust that the winery will fulfill its promises.
The Winery:
Raats Family Wines has a unique story. Bruwer Raats, as first-generation winemaker, found it ideal to rent the vineyards. On the Raats premises you will find two blocks of vineyards, planted in 2008 and used exclusively to produce small quantities of the Eden High Density range.
The Polkadraai Hills area enjoys a cooler climate compared to the rest of Stellenbosch, resulting in a lower sugar and alcohol content, a rarity in South Africa’s warmer climate. Producing Cabernet Franc in this area can be particularly challenging, as this grape variety is sensitive to heat and humidity, making it susceptible to various diseases.
Raats Family Wines generally produces elegant wines with a higher minerality, like their signature Chenin Blanc. This can be explained by the cooler ocean air and breeze. The mostly granite soil, also helps bring out the minerality in the taste of the wine.
The range offers easy drinking as well as higher end premium wine varieties, like the Old Vines and Family Cabernet Franc. The Old Vine is produced from smaller, more concentrated bunches of grapes. The Jasper Red, in honour of Jasper Bruwer Senior, is a quality, easy drinking red wine. The Jasper Red is a good quality wine with a pleasant price point and ages well.
The Old Vine Chenin Blanc is produced from grapes older than 30 years. Aged in stainless steel and oak barrel, it is a well-balanced and versatile wine able to age for a few years. Donohoe goes on to say that there is not a big market for heavy oaked wines.
Just like the wines themselves, the labels on the bottles are designed to be simple, elegant, and visually appealing. The inclusion of the family crest adds a touch of sophistication. Through this approach, Raats Family Wines successfully conveys a sense of personal connection.
“We want people to recognize our wines,” Donohoe proudly explains their choice in labelling.
With a ratio of 80% exporting to markets like Europe and a growing Asian market, the 20% local wines are not available in chain stores and can rather be found in restaurants, hotels, boutique wine stores, at the winery or from the Raats Family Wines website.
Donohoe remembers that the Raats selection was, at one stage, more known abroad than in the South African market.
Raats Family Wines does not only host wine tastings at the winery but can also be found at expos and off-site wine tastings.
Sustainability:
Committed to sustainability, Raats Family Wines believes in producing exceptional wines while preserving the environment for future generations. To reduce their carbon footprint, the winery uses solar energy, promotes renewable energy and ensures that their operations are as eco-friendly as possible.
Raats Family Wines proudly goes beyond the preservation of nature. They take pride in sponsoring young athletes in their pursuit of excellence.
“We are storytellers through wine, eager to honour our Cape heritage and take lessons from the past to integrate with modern innovation to craft, in my opinion, the most honest expression of fruit and wine” – Gavin Bruwer Slabbert –
With a small, passionate team, dedicated to the vision of delivering produce of excellence and committed to a unique, personal and quality wine experience, Raats Family Wines has their feet well planted in the wine market, both abroad and locally.
