In 2016, Jacques and his father, Jacques Snr., started Maree Family Wines, a business that focuses on producing quality South African wine from the heart of the Cape winelands.

Jacques studied winemaking in Stellenbosch and has since worked at several prime wine estates locally, as well as in Australia and America. While his philosophy is centred on minimal cellar intervention, careful attention is paid to determine best picking practices and harvest dates through meticulous tasting of the grapes and constant monitoring of the vineyards.

The grape batches are then vinified separately, and barrel matured in small French oak barrels for a minimum of 16 months. A further 6 months is spent on cork before release. The pedigree of the vineyards and the balanced structure of the wines ensure that they can be enjoyed for many years to come.
The flagship red wine, ‘Pieter and the Jackal’, is a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon which was harvested from selected sought-after vineyards in Stellenbosch.

PIETER AND THE JACKAL

Jacques was born and raised in Namibia on the family cattle farm. Growing up, there was a Brahman bull that became so tame that the children could stroke him. Jacques fondly nicknamed him ‘Pieter’. As a child, Jacques’ own nickname was ‘Jakkals’, a derivative of ‘jackal’, which in folk-tales represents mischief and playfulness. The label represents the adventures of Pieter and the Jackal, a reflection on a happy childhood enjoyed with family.

Maree Family Wines are passionate about building a lasting family legacy, producing quality wines which celebrate the bond between father and son.