“ Hermanus has always been in our hearts and we are now very proud to call it home. ”
HOW WE GOT HERE
OUR JOURNEY
As a young boy growing up in Belgium, Frederik spent a summer in Hermanus and instantly fell in love. His love for the area continued to grow and was finally shared with Céline when the young couple made their first trip to the area in 2008.
One wedding, three kids, 13 years and many negotiations later, they finally made the leap of leaving Belgium to realise their lifelong dream of owning and running a winery in one of the most beautiful valleys in the world.
The faces on the farm
OUR FAMILY
Hasher Family Wines is the culmination of a rich agricultural legacy and the fulfilment of a lifelong aspiration for co-owners Frederik and Céline. In 2021, bidding farewell to their Belgian roots, Frederik, Céline and their three children embraced a new chapter, acquiring a vineyard and establishing Hasher Family Wines. From the outset, their vision transcended mere winemaking; it encompassed fostering a lasting connection between their family, employees, and the cherished land they now embraced as home.
As a fully family-owned and operated venture, Frederik and Céline guide every facet of Hasher Family Wines. Their journey is enriched by the invaluable contributions of Céline’s uncle, Xavier Haspeslagh, and his wife, Christine Bouckaert. Driving the day-to-day operations is a small, dedicated team, united by a shared ethos of winemaking excellence and a collective commitment to leaving behind a timeless legacy.
Frederik’s interest in wines and their unique characters was piqued as a young man studying in Salamanca, Spain for 6 months where he discovered the ancient wines of the Ribera Del Duero. Thanks to his passion for wine and the many years of experience he subsequently gained in business, he can finally fulfil his dream of also creating a lasting family legacy in the wine industry.
Céline’s interest in wine started even earlier, with her first winemaking memories stretching all the way back to her childhood home, where family and friends gathered to harvest and press the grapes from a few hundred vines her father grew. She is grateful that her background in HR and a slew of family farming secrets passed down for over 300 years now allows her to give her children the same memorable experiences in their new home.
OUR EXTENDED FAMILY
The day-to-day running of the estate is managed by small but very dynamic team, that shares our philosophy on wine making whom we all regard as members of the Hasher family.
NATASHA WILLIAMS
Winemaker
Natasha Williams grew up in the small town of Saron, nestled in the Tulbagh mountains, which nurtured a deep love for nature. While studying molecular biology at Stellenbosch University, she became deeply curious about wine in her second year. Natasha’s journey has since been multifaceted, encompassing hands-on cellar work and the role of wine representative. Her travels through France and California deepened her knowledge, especially in single-vineyard blocks and minimal intervention techniques.
In June 2023, Natasha joined Hasher Family Wines, feeling a sense of homecoming. She quickly connected with the land and the values of co-owners Céline and Frederik. To Natasha, winemakers are facilitators of an ancient art, marked by a profound respect for traditional methods. She emphasises, “Our role is to guide nature gently, allowing it to do what it does best while we provide subtle interventions when necessary.”
RAFIKI
Resident Mutt
“Woof”.
XAVIER HASPESLAGH & CHRISTINE BOUCKAERT
Co-owners
“Agriculture and adventure run in our veins. This combination, together with our love for family and excellent wine, made this undertaking perfect for us.”