Commanderie de Bordeaux – South Africa
As the most senior of Bordeaux’s fifteen wine fraternities, the Commanderie de Bordeaux serves as a global ambassador for the region’s wines. More than just a representative body, it plays a key role in wine education, fostering appreciation for Bordeaux’s winemaking traditions while advocating for responsible and cultural enjoyment of wine. In South Africa, the Commanderie acts as a bridge between Bordeaux and the local wine industry, strengthening connections and encouraging collaboration.
Currently, 97 Commanderie chapters operate worldwide, with a strong presence in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The South African chapter, the first of its kind in Southern Africa, has been instrumental in deepening the relationship between Bordeaux and South African wine professionals, two regions that share a commitment to excellence in winemaking.
Established on 24 August 2011 at La Motte wine estate in Franschoek, the South African Commanderie began with the intronisation of thirty distinguished individuals and two honorary members. These members were selected for their passion for Bordeaux wines and their influence within industries such as winemaking, viticulture, cuisine, business, journalism, academia and finance.
Beyond enhancing South Africa’s international wine reputation, the Commanderie facilitates connections with influential figures in win and business, granting access to invaluable resources in viticulture, oenology, wine marketing and trade. Strengthening ties between South Africa and Bordeaux, it fosters a cultural and professional exchange that benefits both regions.
Membership in the Commanderie is more than just an affiliation – it is a commitment to celebrating and upholding values such as friendship, cultural enrichment, philanthropy and national pride. With esteemed members such as Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg, Nicolas Bureau, Danie de Wet, Neil Ellis, Johann Krige, Johan Malan, Anthony Hamilton-Russell and honorary Commandeur Günter Brözel, the South African chapter is poised to become one of the most dynamic and influential wine institutions in the world.
