Our Story
Rooted in Heritage. Raised on Tradition. Poured with Pride.
The Heart Behind Theuniskraal
A Family’s Promise in Wine
When you walk through our vineyards in the early morning, you can almost hear the echoes — the laughter of past harvests, the low hum of tractors, the voices of those who came before. Our story is not a straight line but a vine’s curve, winding through nearly a century of dedication, triumph, and love for the land.
Our Family & Land
A Heritage Rooted in Family
Theuniskraal’s story is not just one of land and vines — it is the story of a family’s devotion, vision, and perseverance. At the heart of this iconic estate is a lineage that has weathered decades of change while staying true to their roots.
According to local tradition, three pioneering families settled in the Tulbagh Valley in 1699. One of these settlers, a young man named Theunis, was granted a portion of land north of the village. Originally named Theuniskuyl, this farm was already cultivating vines by 1785 and later became known as Theuniskraal — “Theunis’s valley.” What began as a name etched into the valley’s history would eventually become one of South Africa’s most beloved wine estates.
The Turning Point
A Vision that Shaped our Legacy
In 1927, a bold new chapter began. Helena Debora Jordaan, a widow from De Doorns, purchased the farm for her two sons, Andries and Harry. It was an extraordinary act of foresight and courage in a time when the private wine industry was almost non-existent. Andries took up the reins at Theuniskraal, while Harry farmed a separate portion named Agenda. It was Andries’s determination to produce wine of exceptional quality — long before the region was recognised for it — that laid the foundation for what Theuniskraal is today.
By the 1940s, Andries Jordaan had already begun exporting bulk wine to London. Wine-filled wooden vats, imported from Europe, were shipped to Cape Town and transported by rail to Tulbagh, filled with Theuniskraal wine, and returned via the same journey — a feat of commitment and ingenuity.
Then in 1948, a milestone: Theuniskraal released its first Riesling (Cape Riesling), a wine that would go on to win gold at the Commonwealth Wine Show in London two years later. Theuniskraal Cape Riesling would become a signature wine, with a loyal following that endures to this day.
Carrying the Torch
A Legacy Honoured in Every Bottle
Andries’s vision was carried forward by his two sons, Rennie and Kobus Jordaan, whose combined experience and deep understanding of the land continued to shape Theuniskraal’s future. Kobus became a pivotal figure in the cellar, while Rennie provided steadfast leadership and guidance for decades.
The passing of Kobus in 2010 was a profound loss for the Jordaan family and the estate, leaving a legacy that lives on in the wines he helped create. In March 2025, the family bid farewell to Rennie, whose wisdom, quiet strength, and lifelong dedication remain woven into the fabric of Theuniskraal.
Though both brothers are no longer with us, their influence is felt in every vintage — a quiet echo of the men who shaped the modern spirit of the estate.
The Next Chapter
Heritage in the Hands of a New Generation
Andries Jordaan Jr.
Wagner Jordaan
Flippie Jordaan
Today, the third generation of Jordaans carries forward the Theuniskraal legacy with quiet confidence and heartfelt dedication. Winemaker Andries Jordaan Jnr, son of the late Rennie Jordaan, was raised among the vines and barrels of the estate. From an early age, his passion for winemaking was unmistakable. He studied oenology and viticulture at Stellenbosch University before honing his skills at Simi Winery in California.
His cousins, Wagner and Flippie Jordaan, sons of the late Kobus Jordaan, share the same deep connection to the land. Wagner, also a winemaker, gained valuable international experience in Australia before returning home to join Andries in the cellar. Flippie focuses on viticulture, ensuring the vineyards continue to yield grapes of exceptional quality.
Adding a new chapter to this legacy is Ernst Jordaan, son of Andries and nephew to Flippie and Wagner. Representing the fourth generation, Ernst is already involved in both farming and winemaking practices, ensuring the family’s philosophy of simplicity, balance, and respect for the land continues well into the future.
Together, the Jordaan family embodies a living heritage — a continuation of a dream first sparked nearly a century ago by their great-grandmother, Helena Debora Jordaan. They uphold the family’s philosophy of simplicity, balance, and honouring the land, ensuring that Theuniskraal’s story continues with integrity and purpose.
“I try to keep the process as simple as possible by doing the basics right, for as we all know: a great wine is made in the vineyard.”
— Andries jordaan jr
For the Jordaans, Wine is not just a Livelihood
— it is a promise, passed down like a treasured family heirloom.
It is the understanding that every harvest is more than a yield; it is a chapter in an ongoing story, a gift to be shared, a link between generations.
Legacy in Every Glass
Where Family, Land, and Wine are One
As the seasons turn and new vintages emerge, Theuniskraal stands as a living testament to the enduring power of family, the generosity of nature, and the timeless beauty of wine made with love. Each member of the Jordaan family has left their mark in the cellar and among the vines, shaping not just the wines, but the spirit of the estate itself.
Here in the Tulbagh Valley, history is not merely remembered — it is lived. It flows through the roots of our vines, into the fruit we harvest, and into every glass poured. At Theuniskraal, wine is more than a product of the land; it is the unbroken thread that binds our family across time, uniting past, present, and future.
