Jean Engelbrecht appointed Stellenbosch Wine Routes chair

Mike Ratcliffe and Jean Engelbrecht.

Jean Engelbrecht of Rust en Vrede has been appointed chair of Stellenbosch Wine Routes, succeeding Mike Ratcliffe, who steps down after nine years. The change was announced at the organisation’s AGM on 21 October.

Louw Strydom of Kanonkop replaces Chris Boustred of Remhoogte, while Frans Smit of Spier and Bruwer Raats of Raats Family Wines join the board. Ilse Ruthford of Compagniesdrift departs.

Established in 1971, Stellenbosch Wine Routes represents wine producers across five sub-routes: Bottelary Hills, Greater Simonsberg, Helderberg, Stellenbosch Valley and Stellenbosch Berg.

The board for 2027 comprises:

• Jean Engelbrecht (Rust en Vrede, chair)

• Amanda de Klerk (vice-chair)

• Danie Steytler (Kaapzicht)

• David van Velden (Overgaauw)

• Carina Gous (Kleine Zalze)

• Schalk-Willem Joubert (Taaibosch)

• Louw Strydom (Kanonkop)

• Ntsiki Biyela (Aslina Wines)

• Bruwer Raats (Raats Family Wines)

• Nic van Aarde (Oldenburg Wines)

• Frans Smit (Spier)