Quando is a family business, with brothers Fanus and Martin Bruwer as sixth generation descendants of the Bruére family, who settled here from France in the mid 1700’s. The Quando Vineyards and Winery is situated between Robertson and Bonnievale, in the picturesque Robertson Valley, 150kms east of Cape Town. Here the Langeberg and Riviersonderend Mountains encompass the valley, and the Breede River runs through it.

Fanus and Martin Bruwer at sundial commemorating their maiden 2001 vintage

The Breede River
It is on the banks of this constantly flowing river that Fanus and Martin have planted Sauvignon blanc vines to make their Quando Sauvignon blanc. Allthough only 12 hectares are planted with Sauvignon blanc, 60 hectares of other wine grape varieties are grown . The balance of the 190 hectare farm is filled up with export citrus, apricots and alfalfa pastures for a Friesland dairy herd. This mixture makes for a busy farming life. As Martin quirks ”We keep our dairy going to keep ourselves out of trouble over weekends and it provides good organic manure for our vineyards!”
Since 2001 they have fulfilled their desire to produce their own Sauvignon Blanc under the Quando label. “Friends had been asking us for years ‘when’ we would make our own wine”, commented Fanus. “When we finally did, we liked the quirkiness of the Latin allusion for the name after the famous song”.

Quando Vineyards

Martin and Estelle exhibiting at Franschoek Cheese Festival
Fanus is at home as the cellars’ winemaker and marketer. Martin looks after the vineyards and his wife Estelle runs the administration. Quando Sauvignon blanc is grown and made on the farm and sold in good restaurants and wine shops throughout South Africa. It is also exported to the United Kingdom, Belgium, Holland and Sweden.
Fanus and Martin officially took over from their parents, Irené and Ryda in 2004. “My dad’s actually now doing what he wanted to do all his life – deep sea fishing for a living!” Fanus chuckles. ”Retired now at the Southern Most tip of Africa he’s still trying daily to catch the biggest fish around - and quite a few days he’s succeeding!.” The brothers share in the love of the sea and they are both keen scuba divers.

Ryda and Irené with one of their fishing trophies
Malindi, Kenia
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