The Jonker family has lived on Weltevrede since 1912. The estate was founded by Klaas Jonker, whose pioneering soul led him to plant the first vines in the area. In the 1930s Weltevrede was inherited by his son, Japie Jonker, who in 1933 began wine farming on Weltevrede. Japie expanded the winery of Weltevrede to accommodate the growing grape production.

The third generation, Lourens Jonker, completed his degree in viniculture and undertook extensive study tours of the wine lands of Europe and California in 1962 before settling down on the farm Weltevrede. After the death of his father in 1969, Lourens took over the 65-ha farm. He subsequently purchased neighboring farms Muscadel (1969), River’s Edge (1981), and Sonop (1999). Today all the farms are consolidated as a 160-hectare estate.

Lourens is one of the pioneering figures of the South African wine industry establishing a legacy as chairman of the KWV and serving on several industry bodies. He also served on boards of companies outside the wine industry, like ABSA and Naspers. He received the National Farmer of the Year Award for South Africa from the Agricultural Writer’s Association of South Africa in 1996. Lourens stepped back recently to leave the estate in the hands of his son, Philip. He now enjoys a more relaxed lifestyle.

Customer Service Contact Information

Fax: +27 23 616 2460
Phone: 023 616 2141
Email: reception@weltevrede.com
Address: PO BOX 6 Bonnievale 6730 South Africa

Opening Hours:
Mondays – Saturdays 08h30 – 17h00