Since 2004
Meet the team behind Karusa
Karusa is a family operated and managed wine and fruit farm.Karusa is run by family business partners Jacques Conradie (Winemaker/ marketing), Saretha Conradie (PRO), Theo Landman (Estate Manager) and property owner Johann Landman (Business Consultant).Karusa is situated at the foothills of the majestic Swartberg in the tranquil and scenic Cango Valley in Schoemanshoek, close to Oudtshoorn. The farm is en-route to the world-famous Cango Caves.
'Karusa' is a Khoi-San word meaning 'land with little water' - describing the semi-arid plateau of the Klein Karoo.
Meet The Team
Jacques Conradie
Our winemaker, Jacques Conradie, is a knowledgeable, creative and dynamic winemaker. He finished his studies at Elsenburg Agric College (Dip. Cellar Tech) in 1999. He made wine for famed producer Graham Beck Wines under the mentorship of Pieter Ferreira acquiring in depth knowledge in the production of Cap Classique (Methode Champenoise) and red wine production. He then moved to organic wine producer Bon Cap and pioneered the making of different wine styles by organic principles. He was consultant winemaker for renowned South African Port Winehouse Boplaas and made wine in the Rhone Valley in France and Rivesalte in the South of France. Jacques is a qualified wine judge and makes his wine according to an “attention to detail” approach mirrored in the craftsmanship of Karusa's wines. If Jacques is available to do so, he will personally guide you through your tastings and enjoys time spent with visitors to Karusa.
Theo Landman
Our Estate Manager, Theo Landman, oversees the daily farming activities and ensures that precise viticultural and horticultural principles are followed in order to produce fruit of exquisite quality. Theo graduated at Oakdale Agricultural School and studied at Saasveld Agricultural College where he obtained a degree in Agricultural Management. He gained experience in the most important stone fruit regions in South Africa; namely Prince Albert and Ceres. Theo manages the intensive way of farming at Karusa with a meticulous eye for perfection, and nothing less. This can easily be seen in the neat, structured and highly effective way he approaches different projects and manages his workforce. His motto of 'no shortcuts' and 'quality first' can be seen in the quality of fruit delivered to the export market and the quality of grapes delivered to the winery.
