Blackwater Wine is the brainchild of Francois Haasbroek, a man that is unequivocally part of the bright future of South African wine. Francois graduated with a bachelor's degree in science – viticulture and oenology from Stellenbosch University. His first stint as a 'cellar rat' was at Neil Ellis wines. He also worked in California, at Dry Creek Vineyard in Sonoma and at Jackson Estate in Marlborough, New Zealand. Upon his return from New Zealand, Francois was offered the winemaker post at Waterford Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. He started Blackwater Wine project in 2010, which ultimately became his focus full time in 2012.
Blackwater Wines are focused on sourcing fruit from the best possible vineyards across the Western Cape, building long lasting relationships with the growers, and making wines that truly showcase their places of origin. With the minimal intervention ethos in the cellar, it all comes down to the grapes, no wine making tricks – just sticking to the basics and attention to details. Francois enjoys wines built on natural acidity & grape tannin, not plastered under layers of oak with countless additions and manipulations forced upon it.