Upcoming Event

Raats Family Wines Tasting
University of Toronto Faculty Club
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Discoverring Raats Family Wines

South Africa’s Stellenbosch region has become one of the world’s most exciting wine-producing areas, and few wineries have done more to put its distinctive character on the map than Raats Family Wines.

Founded in 2000 by Bruwer Raats, the winery has pursued an unusually focused mission: to explore the full potential of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Based in the Polkadraai Hills of Stellenbosch, Raats has become internationally recognized for wines that combine meticulous winemaking with a strong sense of place. The winery describes its philosophy simply: specialization, quality and an obsessive attention to the relationship between grape variety and soil.

Our September tasting offers a wonderful opportunity to experience that philosophy firsthand. We will begin with the Raats Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2023, followed by B Vintners Haarlem to Hope, a Chenin Blanc–Semillon blend that demonstrates a more exploratory side of the Raats family’s winemaking. We then turn to Pinotage before exploring Cabernet Franc in several forms, including the remarkably mature 2014 Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc and the 2020 Raats Family Cabernet Franc. The tasting concludes with two ambitious red blends: the Raats Jasper Red Blend and Mvemve Raats MR de Compostella.

There is also a fascinating family story behind these wines. Bruwer Raats was joined by his cousin Gavin Bruwer Slabbert in 2010, and together they have continued to explore both the heritage and the possibilities of the Cape Winelands. Their B Vintners project deliberately looks beyond the boundaries of a single estate, sourcing grapes from different locations to explore how variety, vineyard and terroir interact.

And, of course, great wine deserves great food. The evening will pair the wines with caramelized onion and roasted peppers, toasted sourdough, whipped goat cheese and basil microgreens, followed by braised beef short rib with celery-root purée, shiitake mushrooms, pickled mustard seeds and crispy shallots.

Join us for an evening of discovery as we explore the wines of one of South Africa’s most distinctive and highly regarded wine families.

The Wines

• Graham Beck Brut Rose NV
• Raats Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2023
• B Vintners Harlem To Hope 2022
• B Vintners Liberte Pinotage 2022
• Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2014
• Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2020
• Raats Jasper Red Blend 2022
• Mvemve RAATS MR De Compostella 2020 Red Blend

Menu

• Caramelized onion and roasted peppers
• Toasted sourdough, whipped goat cheese, basil micro greens

• Braised beef short rib
• Celery root puree, sauteed shiitake mushrooms, pickled mustard seeds crispy shallots

When & Where

• Members: $115
• Guests: $130 (Space permitting)

Interac payment information will reserve your place at the event. You may also use a cheque payable to South African Wine Society with the form below.

Your booking or cancellation MUST be received by Wednesday, September 9, 2026.