Winemaker Jaco Brand shares his personal journey and that of the label.

How did your journey into winemaking begin, and what inspired you to establish Arbeidsgenot Wines?

My journey into winemaking began after I matriculated from Augsburg Agricultural School in 1998, when I joined Du Toitskloof Cellar as a pressing assistant. In 2003, I moved to Citrusdal Cellars as bottling line manager and was later appointed cellar manager following the departure of the winemaking team.

After 14 years at Citrusdal, I joined Meerhof in November 2017, where I spent the next five years further developing my experience and passion for winemaking.

The idea for Arbeidsgenot Wines took shape on the golf course during a conversation with my good friend, Jaco Olivier.

What is the story behind the name ‘Arbeidsgenot Wines’, and what personal meaning does it hold for you?

The name comes from my friend and business partner’s farm, Arbeidsgenot. I’ve always thought it was a beautiful name. To me, it means “finding joy in your work”, which perfectly captures how I feel about winemaking.

What makes the Swartland region special, and how do its climate, soils and landscape shape the character and quality of your wines?

The Swartland is a distinctive wine region, with diverse soils that allow a wide range of grape varieties to thrive. Our Rhône varieties are particularly well suited to the warm climate, producing wines with generous fruit flavours, tropical notes and a rich, rounded palate.

Which grape varieties do you grow at Arbeidsgenot Wines, and what inspired you to choose them?

We source all our grapes from the Swartland, selecting varieties that express the region’s character. Our range includes Rhône varieties such as Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Grenache Noir, alongside Verdelho, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay.

What principles guide your approach to winemaking, and how are they reflected in your wines?

My philosophy is simple: to deliver consistent quality in every bottle, year after year, while always striving to make each vintage better than the last.

Where in the Swartland do you source your grapes, and how do you work with growers to ensure healthy vineyards and quality fruit?

All our grapes come from selected vineyard blocks on a Swartland farm with which we have a longstanding relationship. We work closely with the vineyard manager to support vine health and ensure the quality of the fruit we receive.

How do you combine traditional winemaking methods with new ideas and techniques?

Every vintage is different. When you work with a product of nature, you have to adapt to what each season brings, whether it’s drought or a wet winter. Experience guides my decisions, but I’m always open to new approaches that bring out the best in the grapes. That balance is what makes winemaking so interesting.

How do you approach the ageing and storage of your wines at Arbeidsgenot, and how does this influence their character?

Our wines are full-bodied and expressive, matured in barrels with a generous proportion of new oak. They are made to develop further in the bottle, and we expect them to mature well over the next five years, including our white wines.