Our Wine Heritage
Lanzerac, home to the world’s first commercially bottled Pinotage and one of the oldest heritage farms in the Western Cape, dating back to 1692, has been cultivating award-winning wines for decades. Nestled in the Jonkershoek Valley between the majestic Stellenbosch mountains, this historic Estate’s rich winemaking history can be traced back to the early 1900s, when the first Lanzerac wine was bottled from grapes harvested on the farm. Since then, Lanzerac has cemented itself as a distinguished wine producer with a commitment to superior quality wines both internationally and locally.
The Birth of Pinotage
The year 1925 saw Professor Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at the University of Stellenbosch, successfully cross two grape varietals, Pinot Noir and Hermitage (Cinsaut), to create South Africa’s first unique and indigenous wine grape variety – Pinotage. Several years later, Lanzerac became the first winery in the world to use the term ‘Pinotage’ on their label when they marketed the 1959 vintage under the name ‘Lanzerac’. This visionary release marked the birth of Pinotage as a unique variety from South Africa.
Three Ranges, One Legacy
To this day, Lanzerac, under the leadership of the Winemaker, Michael Roets, and Viticulturist, Barry van Niekerk, is still producing award-winning Pinotage, along with a wide variety of other excellent quality wines that form part of Lanzerac’s three tiers – the Jonkershoek Range, Heritage Range and Keldermeester Versameling (Cellar Master Collection).
Meet the Team
WINEMAKER – MICHAEL ROETS
Michael Roets joined Lanzerac team in November 2023, as Farm Manager.
Born and raised in Pretoria, Michael’s love for vineyards and winemaking started as a young 15-year-old boy visiting a wine cellar and fascinated that within any civilization, the vine forms part of nature and culture.
He completed his studies in Viticulture & Oenology at Elsenburg, Stellenbosch and set off to travel and gain even more knowledge, visiting Sonoma & Napa in VSA, Blenheim in New Zealand and Alentejo in Portugal. After working in California for 4 years, he decided to return home to the winelands where his heart belonged.
Michael believes the vines are symbolic within many aspects of our lives – like humans, the vineyards go through seasons, seasons of growth, harvest, dormancy and budding. ‘The influence of our people on the environment forms a large part of the terroir’ says Michael.
In July 2026, Michael’s stepped into his new role as Winemaker, a proud moment for both him and Lanzerac. His passion and moral compass resonate with his craftmanship and deep respect for the land, and Lanzerac legacy.
When not in the cellar, you will find him in the mountains, discovering new hiking trails.
VITICULTURIST – BARRY VAN NIEKERK
Growing up on a wine farm in Stellenbosch, vines and harvest seasons were just part of life’s rhythm before he understood what any of it meant. After studying at Elsenburg, Barry took his first job at Knorhoek Wines, working his way up over the years to head winemaker and farm manager. In between, he chased harvests abroad (a season in Napa Valley, another in Languedoc) before moving to Elgin and then Franschhoek, gaining knowledge and unique skills at each of his endeavors.
Returning to his roots, Stellenbosch, we welcome Barry to Lanzerac as the newly appointed Viticulturist.
Barry’s approach to farming hasn’t changed much over the years: look after the soil, and it looks after you. Having worked both the vineyard and the cellar, he sees these two aspects of winemaking as one; the wine is already being made out in the rows, long before it ever reaches a barrel. What he still enjoy most is following that whole process through, from a handful of soil to a finished bottle.
Outside of work, you’ll find Barry outdoors with his family, on the golf course with friends, or happily cornered by anyone willing to talk wine.