Ernst Gouws & Co

The Gouws family’s winemaking heritage dates back to 1691, when the first members (then called “Gauch”) set foot on South African soil as part of the French Huguenots who emigrated to the Cape Colony. Now, many generations later, this Stellenbosch family and their down-to-earth approach to making honest, wholesome wines is synonymous with some of the best the Cape Winelands has to offer. In 1975, upon instruction from his father not to return to South Africa unless he had mastered the art of winemaking, a dapper and enthusiastic Ernst travelled to Europe for a voyage of discovery and learning. It was during this time spent in France and Germany that his yearning desire for his childhood sweetheart, Gwenda, forced him to invite her for a visit. Gwenda obliged, their love blossomed and they tied the knot on the spot! Four decades, three children and four grandchildren later, the couple’s commitment to sharing their passion for wine and good food with local and international customers remains palpable, while still collaborating with some of the most talented grape-growers in the Stellenbosch region. Daughter Ezanne is currently tasked with managing most of the commercial and marketing aspects of the business. Ernst Snr oversees the production of the family’s range of wines by carefully selecting supplier vineyards and guiding the process from grape to bottle, while Gwenda keeps a watchful eye on the office administration.