The story of SUSARA…

… begins long before a single vine was planted in Napa. It begins in South Africa, where our family spent generations working the land. This connection to place was in the soil and in the stories passed down over time.

When we left South Africa to build a life in California, we brought that legacy with us. The values, the connection to the land, and the quiet pride in growing something lasting—that remains at the core of everything we do.

SUSARA is named for our family’s matriarch, and for her grandmother before her. It is a name that speaks to strength, grace, and the legacy of generations.

- Barend and Sarie Venter

Our family's story begins in South Africa, where roots run deep in the land and a love for tradition was cultivated over generations. In 2005, seeking new horizons and opportunities, we embarked on a life-changing journey to the United States. Our first stop was Grapevine, Texas (a telling name for what was to come), a place full of new flavors—smoked meats, Mexican street food—and the promise of new beginnings.

From the beginning…

In August 2005, we moved again, this time to Napa, California—an iconic land of wine and possibility. It was here that we found our true calling. By 2008, Barend, an engineer with a farmer’s soul, launched a solar construction company to help wineries embrace sustainability. We worked with historic estates like Charles Krug and Beringer, blending innovation with tradition.

In 2012, we planted our first vines—Cabernet and Merlot—in our backyard, turning humble garage experiments into a family endeavor. Everyone—Ouma, Oupa, parents, and children—helped pick, crush, bottle, and cork, forging an unbreakable bond with the land and each other.

As the years passed, we celebrated milestones: making vintage port to share with friends, acquiring vineyards, and holding weddings at our beloved Hacienda. Each step was rooted in our values: family, resilience, and respect for the land’s gifts.

We restored our historic estate house in 2016, blending tradition with modern sustainability—adding solar energy and introducing bees into the ecosystem. Fire, drought, and time tested our resilience, but our roots only grew deeper.

Today, our journey continues with the planting of Chardonnay, the launch of our SUSARA label, and a shared commitment to legacy and connection. From South Africa to Texas and Napa, each bottle tells a story of family, land, and the enduring pursuit of growth and belonging.

…to Today.

Thinus and Rika Venter, South Africa, 1952

This wine is our tribute to where we come from and all that continues to grow from it—an expression of our roots, in new soil.

Thinus and Ebba Venter, Napa, California, 2024

  • Barend + Noah in Half Moon Bay, 2025

  • Ebba in Half Moon Bay, 2025

  • Thinus on safari, 1999

  • Thinus + Kitt in Half Moon Bay, 2025

  • Anton, Sofia + Oupa Toebie on the ranch in Vrede, 2022

  • Sarie + Kitt in the cellar tasting SUSARA 2024

  • Thinus + Bernard in South Africa, 1999

  • Bernard + Anya in Napa, 2023

  • Thinus + Elizabeth’s wedding 2017

  • Thinus + Anton on the ranch in Vrede, 2022

  • Anton + Sofia with Ouma Antoinette + Oupa Toebie, 2023

  • Barned + Thinus at the Molopo, 2000