Zakkie's Lamb Neck Potjie (best served with BESTER Family Red) No fancy tricks. No red wine reductions. No twenty ingredients you’ll never use again. Just proper lamb neck, good fire, and enough patience to let the pot do its thing. INGREDIENTS 1 kg lamb neck, cut into chunks 100 ml cooking oil 2 onions, roughly chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 celery stalks, finely chopped 1 beef or lamb stock cube 1 cup hot water, plus extra as needed 1 kg potatoes, peeled and quartered Sa

Hey hey, Bestes! Every family has that one story that gets told again and again, usually around a braai, with a glass in hand and a few extra laughs added for good measure. For us, it’s the story of how Zakkie Bester became a winemaker. And here’s the twist, it wasn't a part of some grand plan (at least not at the start). It just kind of… happened. Let’s rewind to the mid-1970s. Fresh out of diensplig and ready to take on the world, Zakkie made his way to Elsenburg Agricultur

All about BESTER Family Wines Chenin Blanc & the magic of clay amphoras Hey hey, wine lovers! Every now and then, someone asks us about the big clay vessels quietly doing their thing behind the scenes at the Riebeek Valley Wine Co. custom crush facility. They look a little mysterious. A little ancient. And if you’re used to seeing shiny stainless steel tanks or rows of oak barrels, the amphoras might even feel like something out of a museum. So what’s the deal with these clay

Kasteelberg Mountain in the Riebeek Valley If you’ve ever stood in the Riebeek Valley early in the morning, a steaming cup of boeretroos in hand, watching the light roll over the foothills of Kasteelberg Mountain, you’ll know there’s something special going on here. This valley has a rhythm of its own, and a big part of that comes down to its unique microclimate. For us at BESTER Family Wines, the Riebeek Valley isn’t just where our grapes come from. It’s where the land does

Hey hey, Mzansi! We’ve been cooking up something lekker behind the scenes, and we’re finally ready to show it off. BESTER Family Wines has had a bit of a glow-up, a fresh look and feel that’s all about bringing our family flavour to the front. We’re talking bold, nostalgic, a little bit retro, and 100% BESTER. Why retro-kief? Because that’s where our story begins. Zakkie and Sandra Bester tied the knot back in 1983, and soon after came the kids: Anna-Bet, Mona, and Manus. W

Ever wondered what to pair with our Bester Family Wines Chenin Blanc in summertime? Here is a salad that comes highly recommended by the...

The Swartland is a pretty gorgeous place at any time of the year, but in springtime the region really shows off in a big way. If you are...

BESTER Family Red is a blend of 60% Cinsault and 40% Shiraz - a fruit-driven wine with an elegant palate, balanced with crisp acidity and...

Zakkie Bester worked as a cooperative winemaker for 38 years before he started BESTER Family Wines - his own venture, and an opportunity...