"Hazendal is a place where friends and family can get together to celebrate life, love, food and wine. Thanks to the combination of the beauty of the mountains, the greens and the overall relaxed environment that the farm affords us, Hazendal truly has become our sanctuary."
- Owners of Hazendal, Dr Mark Voloshin & Leo Schumacher

FOUNDERS: DR MARK VOLOSHIN AND LEO SCHUMACHER

Dr Mark Voloshin was born in Moscow and studied dentistry at the Moscow Medical Dental Institute. In the 1980s, he founded Marvol in Germany, which has since grown into a global group. Leo Schumacher was born in Tiflis, Georgia and met Dr Voloshin during their time studying dentistry in Moscow. From the day they met they became friends and a lifelong friendship and later business partnership developed. Their entrepreneurial drive was already apparent during their careers as dentists and the logical consequence was a move into business. In 1994, when most investors stayed away from South Africa, they decided to purchase Hazendal Wine Estate. Their trust and belief in the new South Africa was rewarded with a beautiful  historic wine farm.

Mark and Leo do not only envision Hazendal to be a successful working wine farm with an international reputation for its excellent wines, but also as a truly unique venue. Today Hazendal offers its visitors a multitude of pleasures - including the fine cuisine in the Hermitage Restaurant, the beauty of the Russian culture displayed in the Marvol Museum, the music played at the Plaasteater, the picnics on the beautiful lawn, the fantastic wedding and conference facilities and the breathtaking views of the Bottelary Hills. For the owners, Dr Mark Voloshin and Leo Schumacher, putting so much passion and effort into the wine estate of Hazendal means to create something meaningful and lasting - an experience that is unmatched elsewhere in South Africa.

THE HAZENDAL TEAM

Hazendal Wine Estate's vision is to be world renowned for its premium products and its excellence. The team at Hazendal is small, yet very focused and dedicated, with each member contributing in their own invaluable way. Since 2004, the second generation of the Dr Mark Voloshin and Leo Schumacher Team has taken the helm, to continue Hazendal's traditions whilst infusing some new fresh ideas into the business. This new and dynamic team consists of Leonid Schumacher who is responsible for all of Hazendal's operations and business development, his wife Vera  as the Hermitage Restaurant managers and Simone Voloshin, who is responsible for Hazendal's exports.

Hazendal Wine Estate is also home to husband and wife duo Colin Frith and acclaimed winemaker, Ronell Wiid. Colin brings 45 years of wine industry experience into Hazendal and is the general manager of Hazendal's wine division, whilst his wife Ronell, together with a committed team of farmers, looks after 50 hectares of vineyards. Her true magic is done in the cellar, where Werner du Plessis , the assistant winemaker,  helps her to transform the grapes into Hazendal's incredible wines.

In the office, keeping Hazendal running are Dmitri Azhypa - financial controller, Chantal Alberts - bookkeeping, Theresa Lawrence - administrative operator and Emoke Mathews, who is in charge of Hazendal Wine Estate's local distribution and sales.

In the kitchen, Chef Abel Josephs is the creative force behind all the exquisite culinary creations of the Hermitage Restaurant. He and his dedicated kitchen team have perfected a fusion of foods from Russia and South Africa for a culinary experience like no other.

Ronel Oberrieser is responsible for the functions at Hazendal, ranging from lavish weddings to conferences and business meetings. Ronel and her friendly and attentive team ensure that every function at the Hermitage Restaurant is a resounding success.

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