Julian Johnsen, who was born and educated in England, studied agriculture at The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester (1984-1987). On completing his studies, Julian went to work on a wine farm in South Africa’s Cape winelands for a year. Needless to say, he was totally captivated by the beautiful landscape, and by the mystique of winegrowing and making. This was a route he became determined to follow.

In 1990, shortly after the release of Nelson Mandela, Julian immigrated to South Africa and bought his first farm in the Boland in the Wellington district, Kleinleeuwentuin, where he produced his first wine in 1993. Since then, Julian has produced a vintage every year, winning numerous awards and accolades, among them two Veritas gold medals for the 2002 and 2004 Bowwood Cabernet-Sauvignon-Merlot blends (a joint venture with Bruce Jack of Flagstone). In 1995, Julian married Bridget Boswell, a South African horse vet, and they now have two children.

In 2000, Julian sold his Wellington property and bought a new wine farm in the Paarl region’s Voor-Paardeberg ward. It was in 2001 that Julian approached his old friends, Anthony Ward and Richard Gower, to make an investment in the winelands of the Cape. Their London-based company, Armajaro Holdings, bought Vondeling (Julian's then-neighbour on the Paardeberg) in February 2002. Julian has been a director of this venture, Vondeling Farm, since its inception.

Matthew Copeland was born and schooled locally in Paarl, Western Cape, where he first developed an interest in the wine industry. He studied at Elsenburg Agricultural College, where he completed his diploma with a distinction in winemaking. He later honed his skills abroad, working in the top wine regions of Switzerland, France, California, Australia and New Zealand. On his return to South Africa, he helped design and build the cellar at Welbedacht in Wellington, owned by ex-Springbok rugby player Schalk Burger. The first wines he made there were internationally recognised, with two class winners at the London International Wine & Spirits Competition 2006 for his Bordeaux-style red blend, The Cricket Pitch 2003, and Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2005. Locally, he has also been selected as top of the class for his Pinotage and again for his Bordeaux-style red blend. He can also boast several gold and silver awards from the Michelangelo International Awards as well as the Veritas Awards.

In 2007, he took over the winemaking portfolio at Vondeling Cellar. He is now focusing on some bold new Rhône-style red blends and Chenin Blanc-based white blends. What drew him to the Voor-Paardeberg was the perfect mix of complex granite-derived soils with just the right amount of clay for dryland farming, and the unique southern aspect of the slopes on the farm. Never one to follow convention, rest assured that his efforts with Shiraz will be as interesting and rewarding to his followers as was his success with Cabernet and Merlot in Wellington.

Anthony Ward is a co-founder of Armajaro and the CEO of the Armajaro Group. Prior to forming Armajaro with Richard Gower, Anthony was a director of Phibro, the commodity trading arm of Salomon Smith Barney. Anthony’s interests include art, car rallying and sailing.

Richard Gower is a co-founder of Armajaro and the CEO of Armajaro Securities Limited. Prior to forming the Armajaro Group with Anthony Ward, Richard worked with Dean Witter Capital Markets. Richard’s interests include car rallying and skiing.

OLD TRADITIONS, FRESH DIRECTIONS

This historic farm was originally named Vondeling, from whence the wines take their name. It was granted to Swedish immigrant Oloff Bergh by Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1704. Shady oak trees surround the original Manor House, built in 1750. Graciously restored, The Manor House is now a luxurious guesthouse which offers accommodation with every comfort and a wine fridge stocked with South Africa’s finest, including the estate’s wines.

The farm has a three-centuries-old winemaking tradition and wine was made here until 1940. Thereafter, the grapes were supplied to the KWV and later to Boland Kelder.