All About

WINEBRANDS

Insight into

JACQUES LOMBARD

When you close your eyes and listen to music, the soundstage opens up — you hear the depth, space, and individual instruments more clearly. Wine works in much the same way. With your eyes closed, aromas and flavours come into sharper focus, uninterrupted by labels, colour, price, or surroundings. Nothing competes for attention except what is in the glass. How fortunate I am to already taste wine this way having lost my sight — a perspective that works firmly in my favour when tasting on varies judging panels and selecting wines for our portfolio. My purpose-driven journey in wine began in 1996 when I joined the wine club, Wine Insight, and has been shaped by nearly three decades of tasting, learning, and collaboration. Along the way, I have built lasting relationships with South Africa’s most respected winemakers, merchants, and industry professionals — all united by a commitment to quality, authenticity, and value.
I successfully completed the Cape Wine Master programme, qualifying as a Cape Wine Master in December 2024, to date only 120 world-wide candidates could achieve this. My dissertation, which explores biogenic amines in wine and their potential health effects — including wine headaches and body discomforts — can be viewed under the Thesis tab. I have also served on the panel tasting group for the Checkers Odd Bins range and continue to judge on various competition panels evaluating the finest South African wines. Drawing on this experience and sound business acumen, I have built a professional, well-organised wine company rooted in integrity and careful selection. We offer reliable nationwide delivery, ensuring our wines reach customers across South Africa with the same care taken in their selection. In addition to my daily involvement with Winebrands, I am Chairman and director of the boards of several property consortiums, and a member of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters. Outside of work, I am an avid cyclist and proudly take part in the annual Cape Town Cycle Tour on a tandem sponsored by the Tableview Lions Club.