Mark’s style of winemaking is unpretentious and authentic. It's easy to see why Tim Atkin named Mark Le Roux as South Africa’s Young Winemaker of The Year in 2017. With an assortment of accolades, including outstanding scores by Tim Atkin, as well as our flagship Waterford Estate The Jem, and an array of 5 Star Platter awards, our wines have Mark to thank.

“For me, the best interpretation of terroir, which is the expression of vines grown in a very specific place, is shown through wines which aren’t covered by winemaking. Winemaking should merely be a catalyst, involved, but not to interfere or alter the wine of origin. The art comes in with blending, using these individually crafted wines to find balance and expression without losing the identity of the individuals.”

Along with Cellarmaster Mark le Roux, David van ​​Schalkwyk tends to a diverse range of grape varieties grown on Waterford Estate, producing sought-after wines like The Jem. He’s fortunate enough to work with a dedicated team of farm workers, many of whom have been living and working on the farm for several years. David has been responsible for tending to the vines at Waterford Estate since 2013.