A new generation is taking the reins of one of Bon Courage Estate’s flagship sparkling wine ranges, with winemaker Inge Bruwer-Malan stepping into the role previously held by her father, Jacques Bruwer, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The handover marks an important moment for the Robertson wine estate, where the art of making traditional-method sparkling wine has been shaped by three generations of the Bruwer family.
The transition was celebrated on Thursday, 29 October, at an intimate dinner called A Toast to Tradition, held at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa in Sandton. The evening brought together the Jacques Bruére Vintage Cap Classique range and the family story behind it, while signalling the beginning of a new chapter for the wines.
For Inge, the responsibility goes beyond taking over a respected label. Each bottle represents years of work, patience and careful cellar management.
‘It is an honour to be entrusted with such a prestigious brand,’ she said, adding that her father had taught her the importance of patience and precision. She hopes to introduce her own approach while maintaining the consistency and quality that have become associated with the range.
A family history rooted in Robertson
The Bruwer family’s winemaking story stretches back almost a century. The family has farmed Goedemoed since 1927, with the property formally registered as an estate and renamed Bon Courage in 1983.
The Jacques Bruére name also carries a connection to the family’s French Huguenot ancestry, paying tribute to the Bruère family, who farmed vines in France’s Loire Valley before settling in South Africa.
The estate’s relationship with traditional-method sparkling wine began with Inge’s grandfather, André Bruwer. A three-time South African Champion Estate Winemaker, he helped establish the family’s interest in producing sparkling wines using the traditional French method.
Jacques continued that ambition after studying winemaking at Elsenburg. During his studies, he was allocated a block of Chardonnay and decided to use it to produce Méthode Cap Classique (MCC).
‘My father always said that the ultimate in winemaking was to produce a champagne in the traditional way.’
– Jacques Bruwer
After gaining additional cellar experience in Germany and France, he returned to Bon Courage in 1990. His passion for traditional-method sparkling wine eventually developed into the range that carries his name. Now, that responsibility moves to the next generation.
Inge brings international experience home
Although Inge is taking over a family legacy, she arrives with her own winemaking experience and an international perspective. She first entered the world of Cap Classique during her first cellar experience at Graham Beck, where she worked with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir used in traditional-method sparkling wine production.
That early exposure laid the groundwork for nearly a decade of harvest experience across several wine-producing countries. Her career took her to Marlborough in New Zealand, Oregon in the United States and Austria’s Kamptal region, where she worked at Weingut Schloss Gobelsburg.
Back in South Africa, she gained experience at Cederberg Private Cellar and became assistant winemaker at Saxenburg. She later took on senior vintage responsibilities at Babich Wines in Marlborough. Her work was recognised in 2021 when Wineland Media included her in its 30 Under 30 list.
Despite the international experience, Bon Courage has always been part of her story. While still at school, she worked in the estate’s tasting room, introducing visitors to the family’s wines. She returned to Robertson in September 2026 to join the winemaking team, becoming the fourth generation of the Bruwer family to contribute to the estate’s wines.
Jacques said welcoming his eldest daughter into the family business was particularly meaningful, describing her appointment as a milestone for the estate. He also highlighted the significance of Inge becoming Bon Courage’s first female winemaker.
‘As a father, I couldn’t be prouder to see her take up the reins.’
– Jacques Bruwer
Taking responsibility for the Jacques Bruére range means overseeing wines that require considerable time before they reach consumers. The collection consists of three vintage Cap Classiques: Brut Reserve 2018, Blanc de Blancs 2015 and Cuvée Rosé Brut 2018.
Each wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle before spending between 90 and 100 months ageing on the lees. This extended maturation is central to the character and development of traditional-method sparkling wines.
The Brut Reserve 2018 has received 94 points from international wine critic Tim Atkin, secured a place in the National Wine Challenge Top 100 and earned a National Winner title at the Terroir Wine Awards. All three wines also achieved scores above 90 points from Atkin.
The extended ageing process means the winemaking decisions made today can take years to fully reveal themselves. It is a demanding responsibility for any cellar master, particularly when maintaining a range built around consistency and long-term quality.
For Inge, the challenge will be to respect what has come before while gradually making the range her own.
Where to experience the wines
The transition was celebrated with a food-and-wine pairing dinner at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, where guests sampled the three Cap Classiques alongside a specially created menu.
Those interested in tasting the collection can find the Jacques Bruére Vintage Cap Classique range directly through Bon Courage Estate, its website here, and selected retailers.
Visitors to the Robertson estate can also book the Jacques Bruére Vintage Cap Classique & Nougat Pairing, which matches each of the three wines with handmade nougat.
With Inge now taking custodianship of the range, Bon Courage’s sparkling wine story continues as a family tradition, one that has travelled from a grandfather’s early ambition to a father’s lifelong passion and, now, a daughter’s opportunity to shape its future.
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