Jean Smit has worked alongside some of the best winemakers in the World. He’s made Syrah and Pinot Noir with DuMOL’s Andy Smith in Russian River Valley, completed harvests with Wither Hills in Marlborough, studied Syrah under Stéphane Ogier in Côte Rôtie, and spent time at Napa Valley’s Larkmead Vineyards.

And that’s just his work abroad.

Back home, he’s worked with estates like Rustenberg and for almost a decade he was at the helm of the Boekenhoutskloof range; arguably one of South Africa’s most internationally celebrated brands. Damascene is the culmination of Jean’s broad winemaking experience, and a long-held vision of being able to truly tell the stories of vineyards through the wines they produce.

When Jean is not in the cellar, he is out on the road searching for more vineyards that have their own distinctly South African stories to tell.