- Colmant Winery, a dedicated Cap Classique producer in Franschhoek, owned by Belgians Jean-Philippe and Marina Colmant for the past 20 years, has been sold.
- Paul Gerber, longtime Colmant winemaker and a Cap Classique Association board member, will remain at the helm of Colmant as managing director.
- Seen as one of South Africa's top Cap Classique producers, the sale opens up a whole new future for Colmant Winery.
Jean-Philippe Colmant, owner of Colmant Winery for the past 20 years, has played a fundamental role in the evolution of South African Cap Classique, with Pieter "Bubbles" Ferreira of Graham Beck, as one of the board members of the Cap Classique Association. Together, they have redefined the category as Cap Classique (not M thod Cap Classique) in South Africa and worked to improve the quality by encouraging longer maturation periods, whole-bunch press, and exploring different categories of Cap Classique.
As owner of Colmant Winery for the last 20 years their wines have earned international recognition, with critics like Greg Sherwood MW, Tim Atkin MW, and Jancis Robinson MW commenting on the quality and tension of the wine (remember in Cap Classique, it's all about the tension), sourced as it is from exceptional pockets all around the Western Cape, and benefitting from smart winemaking in the cellar.
With winemaker Paul Gerber and his particular scientific focus on Cap Classique production, they formed a formidable Cap Classique team. Tim Atkin MW once wrote, "Paul Gerber is a sparkling wine magician" when he was still the winemaker at Le Lude, and his skill as a Cap Classique producer has only grown in estimation over the years, benefitting from his partnership with JP at the helm of Colmant Winery as winemaker and cellarmaster. Together they have made an indelible mark on the landscape of Cap Classique in South Africa, making this recent sale that much more notable for its potential to grow.
Announced this morning at 09:00, the sale of Colmant Winery to Isabelle and Jan Boone, notably also Belgian nationals like JP and Marina Colmant, secures the legacy of this Cap Classique House. As family to and executives at Lotus Bakeries, a renowned Belgian international manufacturer of indulgent and natural biscuits, they are committed to quality, local sourcing, and craftsmanship. With brands like Biscoff®, nakd®, and BEAR®, as well as production facilities around the world, including South Africa, the country is not new to Jan and Isabelle. Employing more than 700 people at Wolseley (Western Cape), they also support the Kusasa school and seem to be already entrenched and committed to life in South Africa.
Jan Boone says:
"We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Paul Gerber. Our vision is to build upon Jean-Philippe Colmant's foundation, elevating Colmant to greater heights in quality and sustainability. We believe in the blend of expertise, collaboration, and innovation within the team."
Isabelle Boone continues, "By investing in our team, products, processes, and partnerships, we aim to ensure that Colmant Winery remains the standard for excellence in South African Cap Classique".
The perfect occasion for a glass of bubbles, no?
For more information on Colmant Winery, visit their website here.
