Jan Boone

Jan Boone is an accomplished leader with a deep-rooted passion for quality craftsmanship, now stepping into the role of owner at Colmant Cap Classique. Since 2011, he has served as the CEO of Lotus Bakeries Group, expertly guiding the Executive Committee in daily operations. His career launched in the audit department of PwC, where he honed his analytical skills and attention to detail. In 2005, Jan joined Lotus Bakeries as General Manager and Director, further solidifying his reputation as a strategic thinker and dynamic leader.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Jan is actively involved in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for FC Bruges and Tomorrowland, and has been Chairman of the Board of Directors for Animal Care Group from 2017 until June 2024. With a family legacy steeped in the production of high-quality products, Jan is excited to apply his extensive expertise to the art of Cap Classique production, ensuring that each bottle reflects both tradition and excellence. He looks forward to being part of crafting exceptional sparkling wines that celebrate the richness of their renowned estate.

Isabelle Maes

Isabelle Maes brings a wealth of experience and a passion for premium products to her new role as the owner of Colmant Cap Classique in Franschhoek. With a strong background in finance and management, she currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer of Lotus Bakeries and Chief Executive Officer of Natural Foods within the Lotus Bakeries Group. Isabelle began her career at PwC as an auditor before joining Barry Callebaut in May 2001, where she held various positions across finance and SAP. In 2006, she advanced to the role of Finance Officer for Barry Callebaut Belgium, showcasing her expertise in financial strategy and operational excellence.

In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Isabelle has been a valued member of the Board of Directors at Van de Velde since 2019. Her dedication to quality and craftsmanship fuels her enthusiasm for entering the world of Cap Classique. Isabelle eagerly anticipates the opportunity to contribute to both the production and marketing of exquisite sparkling wines crafted on their estate, blending her business acumen with her love for exceptional products.

Paul Gerber

Initially, Paul embarked on a career as a Mathematics teacher, a true passion of his. However, a transformative moment came when he received a wine course as a gift from his soon-to-be mother-in-law. It was in this course that he discovered the intriguing intersections of wine, mathematics, and chemistry—each discipline intertwining in an unexpectedly harmonious way. Shortly after marrying, Paul made the bold decision to leave his teaching career behind and immerse himself in the study of Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University.

His journey took him across renowned wine regions, where he delved into the alchemy of bubbles, completing harvests in Franciacorta (Italy), the Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany), and Le Mesnil sur Oger (Champagne, France). It was during his time in Le Mesnil sur Oger that he was afforded the invaluable opportunity to refine his skills with seasoned winemakers, deepening his expertise in Champagne and Cap Classique.

Now, as the Managing Director at Colmant Cap Classique, Paul collaborates closely with Jan and Isabelle to elevate the estate’s offerings. With a steadfast commitment to the meticulous craftsmanship required to produce exceptional Cap Classique, Paul and Kalissa expertly blend tradition with innovation, ensuring that each bottle reflects a dedication to excellence and an appreciation for the region’s unique terroir.

​Kalissa De Kok

“Kalissa de Kok completed her Oenology Bacherlor’s degree at Elsenburg Agricultural Institute. During her final year of studies, she spent a lot of time with Cap Classique proffesionals (including winemaker Paul Gerber), which ultimately inspired her love for the craft of Cap Classique.

Since completing her studies in 2022, Kalissa completed  harvests at different cellars, with the purpose of consolidating her understanding of Cap Classique. She is very enthusiastic to embark on this promising journey alongside Paul and the Colmant team.”

Amy Cupido

Born and raised in the heart of Franschhoek, my passion for tourism and connecting with people is part of who I am. In my role at Colmant Cap Classique, I manage imports, exports, and curate unforgettable guest experiences at our prestigious estate. While I take pride in the administrative aspects of the business, I find great joy in welcoming guests to our tasting room and sharing the essence of what Colmant represents. It’s a pleasure to guide visitors through our sparkling wine journey and introduce them to the rich story and craftsmanship behind each bottle. My commitment to exceptional service and our local heritage ensures that every guest leaves with a memorable impression of Colmant.

Schalk Basson

“I am delighted to be back at Colmant, working alongside Paul and the Boone family,” expressed Schalk. “My passion for this brand has only grown stronger during my time away, and I am eager to contribute to its continued success.” Schalk’s return promises to invigorate Colmant, ushering in a new era of innovation and excellence.

Jean-Philippe and Paul strive to create Cap Classique with balance, elegance and finesse.

The Cap Classiques reflect the terroir of our regions showing ripeness and fullness but still retaining freshness and balance.  We use exclusively the traditional champagne varietals of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in our production process, more or less in equal proportions.

The most crucial part of making a refined bubbly is the blending. It is of the utmost importance for us to select the perfect blending components, each one contributing an extra dimension to the final product. For that reason, we select our grapes from different sites, according to the specific characteristics of each terroir, ensuring that we have enough components to work with to make a base wine with maximum complexity. Both grape types contribute their own specific qualities, without which complete balance and harmony would not be possible.

Our Pinot Noir grapes are sourced from versatile origins, coming from five different farms located between Franschhoek, Robertson and Elgin, all of which offer their own distinct desirable characteristics of body and finesse.

Chardonnay brings finesse, life, freshness and elegance and its slow development gives an ideal ageing potential. Out of the Chardonnay grapes we use, over 50% are grown by us on Colmant Farm, where the soil provides a perfect balance between full structure and a level of acidity that brings freshness and vivacity. The remainder of our Chardonnay comes from the limestone soils of Robertson and Bonnievale as well as the cooler climate of Elgin and Hemel-en-Aarde.