Born and raised in Stellenbosch, it was almost destiny for Wynand Lategan to end up in the wine industry. Having finished high school in 1987 Wynand set about what was then a compulsory two year military service before enrolling for a B.Comm Degree at Stellenbosch University. After successfully completing his Honours Degree in Journalism, Wynand started working at Die Burger as a financial journalist – a position he would remain in for four years.
At the age of 30, a growing interest in wine led Wynand to enroll at Elsenburg Agricultural College for a Diploma in Wine and Cellar Technology, which he completed in 2002. An opportunity of a harvest at Château Durfort-Viviens, a second growth in Margaux, Medoc, paved the way to Lanzerac Wine Estate where Wynand took over the winemaking responsibilities in 2005.
Wynand’s winemaking philosophy is quite simple. When he makes a wine he is led by balance – balance in fruit, tannins, colour, alcohol, mouthfeel and the use of wood. These are all key elements in the wine sculpting process. After spending more than a decade at this prestigious Jonkershoek property, the focus on creating terroir specific wines is being refined vintage after vintage.
Besides spending most of his time in the vineyards or cellar, Wynand is an avid outdoor enthusiast whose passions include running, surfing, mountain biking and hunting. He is married to Nelleke and is a doting dad to their three beautiful daughters, Ella, Fila-Marie and Barbara, whom he believes keeps him grounded.