About Paul Roos Wine

Established in 2015

On the lower slopes of the Helderberg, where the R44 runs between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, sits Rust en Vrede — a farm that has been in the Roos family for five generations. It is also the birthplace of Paul Roos, the rugby legend who captained the first South African team to tour Britain in 1906 and gave them the name Die Springbokken. Beyond the rugby field, Roos was an educator and rector of the Stellenbosch boys' school that still bears his name, Paul Roos Gymnasium. His legacy is one of sport, education, and community.

In 2014, fifth-generation brothers Tjuks and Johan Roos decided to honour that legacy in a new way. They enlisted Augustus (Gus) Dale — who had first met the brothers while working at neighbouring Radford Dale winery in the 2000s and had since been managing the Roos vineyards — to help establish a wine project with a singular purpose: every rand of profit would be channelled into the education of workers' children on the farm.

The first two wines were released in November 2015 under the Paul Roos label, and their names tell the story. Die Skoolhoof (The School Principal) is a blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, honouring Roos's role as an educator. Die Filantroop (The Philanthropist) is a Shiraz-led red blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinotage, reflecting the project's charitable heart. A one-off Cabernet Sauvignon was later produced in memory of Tjuks Roos's late wife, Susan.

Gus Dale brings a hands-on, terroir-focused approach to the cellar. The grapes are grown on the Rust en Vrede farm's Helderberg slopes, fermented with natural yeast, and aged in French oak barrels. Production is deliberately small — this is a passion project, not a commercial juggernaut.

Paul Roos Wine operates as a BEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) farming project, making it one of the few wine labels in Stellenbosch where the purchase of a bottle directly funds education. The Roos family has built a crèche and invested in community education programmes through wine sales, continuing the philanthropic tradition of the man whose name graces the label.

Die Skoolhoof is a blend of 76% Chenin Blanc and 24% Chardonnay, while Die Filantroop brings together 63% Shiraz, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 11% Pinotage. Both are complex, layered wines that belie the modest scale of the operation.

Tastings are available by arrangement at the farm on the R44, a quiet, personal experience on a working family farm with Helderberg mountain views.

Named after Paul Roos, who captained the first Springbok rugby tour in 1906

All profits fund education for farm workers' children

Fifth-generation Roos family farm on the Helderberg slopes

BEE farming project with community crèche and education programmes

Natural yeast fermentation and French oak ageing

Winemaker Gus Dale, formerly of Radford Dale

Gourmet

Scenic

Elegant

The Winemaker

Augustus (Gus) Dale

Augustus (Gus) Dale first met the Roos brothers while working at neighbouring Radford Dale winery. He went on to manage the Roos vineyards on Rust en Vrede and was enlisted in 2014 to set up the wine project. He works with natural yeast and French oak barrels, crafting terroir-driven wines from the Helderberg slopes.

Our Heritage

The story of Paul Roos Wine through the years

1906

Paul Roos Tours Britain

Paul Roos captains the first South African rugby team to tour Britain, naming them Die Springbokken.

2014

Wine Project Conceived

Fifth-generation brothers Tjuks and Johan Roos enlist Gus Dale to establish a wine project with all profits funding education.

2015

First Wines Released

Die Skoolhoof (Chenin Blanc-Chardonnay) and Die Filantroop (Shiraz-led blend) are released in November as the first Paul Roos wines.

Sustainability

Paul Roos Farming operates as a BEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) project. All wine profits are channelled into education for workers' children, including building a crèche and funding community education programmes on the farm.