Sjaak grew up in the vineyards on a Tulbagh Estate. Although surrounded by vines he went to Boland College to study Financial Management for 3 years. Once graduated and in need of work he went to assist for a week at Tulbagh Co-op. A week turned into 3 years as he made himself indispensable. Here, Sjaak learned the grading of grapes and the importance of quality of quantity. He moved on after successfully managing 3 harvests, to Saxenburg, a Stellenbosch wine estate. It didn’t take long before he moved over to his neighbours at Jordan Wine Estate.
20 years later, Sjaak has proved himself year after year by producing award-winning wines with Gary & Kathy Jordan.
Sjaak is part of the Jordan family and knows each corner of the winery inside and out. If he is not in the cellar he is on his bike cycling the mountain ranges of the Cape.