Ernie Els Wines

While men may dream different dreams, they are driven by the same quest: to reach for, and to accomplish perfection.

When Ernie and good friend Jean Engelbrecht discussed the possibility to produce a wine together, the marriage of their ideas on winemaking styles and ideas quickly transformed into a strategy based on quality. Quality and excellence, no matter what.

As one of South Africa's leading ambassadors and one of the most recognisable faces in the world of sport, it is befitting that Ernie chose South Africa and Stellenbosch to produce his wine.

Jean and Ernie established Engelbrecht Vineyards in 1999, and finally opened their dream cellar on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch in December 2004. When the friendship and expertise of their respective professions came together, Jean and Ernie set out to create an extraordinary wine.

The aim with the wine is to capture everything that Ernie stands for: big in stature and gentle in character.

Embracing the talents of winemaker Louis Strydom, who has produced the only South African wine to be nominated four years consecutively as one of the Top 100 wines in the world, they created the Ernie Els wine, a classic Bordeaux blend comprising of five varietals - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

Comments Jean, "As Ernie is setting the standard in the international sporting arena, so are we dedicated to superior quality and excellence in this unique venture".

Ernie and Jean have been friends from an early age. As they travelled the world to promote their respective careers in golf and wine, they decided in 1999 to combine their efforts and formed Engelbrecht Els Vineyards, where they could produce wines that would reflect their personal styles.

In December 2004 they opened their newly built winery, and for them a dream had come full circle. "I have through my travels worldwide developed a passion for fine wine, for the Cape wine lands and in particular Stellenbosch, the noble heart of South African wine.

"This classic wine was born out of a friendship and is both the culmination of a dream and a reflection of my personal style."