Jan du Preez
Winemaker
Serengeti Wines and Leidersburg Wines

Jan du Preez, born in Stellenbosch, South Africa, grew up in a winemaking environment. His father was a cellar master at the KWV, one of the biggest wineries in South Africa.

Jan knows every aspect of the industry—from preparing the soil for new plantings to retailing the finished product. Jan's career in the wine industry dates back to 1971 when he studied at Distel group under the supervision of Dr. Piet Venter, head of production. Jan trained at several leading wineries and reported his learnings back to Dr. Venter.

Jan then got a job as cellar master of Stellenbosch Farmers Winery, where he was responsible for volume as well as quality wine blending and preparation up to the bottling process. He also assisted smaller vineyards upgrade their wine making processes.

From cellar master, Jan became a technician in the research department of Stellenbosch. In this capacity, Jan spent 14 months involved in identifying high potential soils for vineyard planting, as well as the preparation of such soils and identifying virus free vineyards from which to gather plant material for grafting new vines.

In 1983 Jan returned to Distel Group, as a marketing manager in the European Division in Bonn, Germany. He was based at DV Schlumberger, one of the top Wine Import Houses in Germany.

He returned to Stellenbosch, South Africa in 1989 to become the managing director and winemaker of the Uitkyk Wine Estate, a 1.200-acre vineyard owned by the Distell group.

Jan then went into business for himself and in 1993 became the owner of Leiderburg Wines. He actively exports and markets his creations derived from this 60-acre winery. In addition to his most heavily planted grape, Cabernet Sauvignon, Jan exports other varieties through joint ventures with Migration and Headbutt. It is through such collaborations that Jan lends his talents in assisting start-up companies and consulting with overseas importers (especially the United States) on South Africa and its wines. Jan travels frequently to Europe and the United States, talking with wine buyers and wine interest groups.

A single parent with two sons, Jan gets daily help from his eldest, Jacques, who finished his studies at the Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch. Jan's youngest son, Marcel, is pursuing a professional rugby career.