Lanzerac brand changes ownership

Entrepreneur Christo Wiese is consolidating his wine interests under one title. In future all will form part of the Christo Wiese Portfolio.

Five Heirs was the name selected for a new range of three red wines bearing the names of his three children (Christina Cabernet Franc, Clare Merlot and Jacob Pinotage), and a white wine – simply titled Five Heirs Chenin Blanc.

Wiese considers himself, his wife and three children “heirs to a unique cultural treasure” in the form of the two wine farms he owns – Stellenbosch landmark Lanzerac and Lourensford in Somerset West.

Ultimately the Lanzerac and Forellen ranges will join Five Heirs in the Portfolio – as will Lourensford once that comes on stream. A new cellar is planned for the Lourensford site.

It was also announced this month that Distell sold the Lanzerac trademark to Wiese. In 1991 when Wiese bought the Lanzerac hotel, manor house and farm, agreement was reached with Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery (now Distell) that he could use the Lanzerac trademark for wines produced on the estate. SFW marketed and distributed Lanzerac domestically while Wiese retained responsibility for cellar door sales and exports.

“The disposal of the Lanzerac brand coincides with the company’s objective of streamlining it product portfolio to become more globally competitive,” said André Stenn, Distell director of corporate affairs.

Lanzerac Pinotage, the first commercially bottled Pinotage and formerly made by Distell, will now be made at Lanzerac said Wiese.