The Engelbrecht family’s involvement in the wine industry started four generations ago, when the family settled on the West Coast of South Africa as grape growers. Jean’s true passion for wine began when his family purchased the historic Rust en Vrede estate.

Jean brings a breadth of wine experiences and a determinedly international approach to his wineries. Having lived in California for two years, his palate is influenced by New World wines. This has been a key factor in the success of his wines, as according to Wine Spectator “South Africa’s best wines are a combination of New World style with Old World elegance.”

Jean also helped to revolutionize the South African wine industry by improving the presence of South African producers in the United States. This initiative, combined with his work on the Ernie Els Wines portfolio, has earned Engelbrecht a well-deserved reputation as an innovator, an "ambassador of South African wine" (according to Wine Spectator) and ultimately a key player in helping his nation realize its winemaking potential.