Coenraad Stassen grew up in the Western Cape, South Africa among the grape vines of the famous Cape Town wine region. His start in winemaking was a temporary position in harvest work in 1995 that quickly turned into a promotion and permanent position in winemaking. At the same time, Coen attended Elsenburg College (now named the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training) in Stellenbosch where he graduated at the top of his class in the Senior Cellar Technology program.

After eight years honing his winemaking skills in the Klein Karoo Region, Coenraad joined the international exchange program through Ohio State University in 2003, bringing him to Old Mission Peninsula and Traverse City - the place he now calls home.


Brys Estate, under the guidance of Coenraad's winemaking, has earned over 500 medals in national and international wine competitions, including a Jefferson Cup for our 2021 Dry Riesling Reserve and 2017 Cabernet Franc Reserve at the 2023 and 2019 Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition, and "Best of Show White Wine" award for our 2017 Gewurztraminer Reserve at the 2018 Critics Challenge. Multiple double gold medals and the "Best of Class" awards have been attained for wines as well, most recently being our 2022 Riesling Reserve, 2021 Gew​ürztraminer Reserve, 2021 Riesling Reserve, 2017 Signature Red Reserve, 2017 Artisan Dry Riesling, and 2018 Riesling Reserve, amongst others. Brys Estate also garnered three medals at the prestigious 2010 International Wine & Spirits Competition held in London, England for the 2007 Artisan Pinot Noir, 2008 Gewürztraminer and the 2007 "Dry Ice" wines. 

Coenraad has a strong focus on producing high-quality dry reds and has a crisp, clean approach in producing whites. His focus is to be able to make world recognized wines from 100% estate grown Old Mission Peninsula AVA vinifera grapes from the Brys Estate vineyards.

Coenraad Stassen

Director of Winemaking & Estate Manager

Step back in time and enjoy a Pure Michigan experience when you visit Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery. Spanning 155 acres, Brys Estate is the largest contiguous winery estate on the Old Mission Peninsula. Opened in 2005, they are a family-run business that crafts wines from 53,000 vines planted less than a mile from Lake Michigan. The Brys experience includes an old-world tasting room, outdoor deck with panoramic views of their expansive vineyard and East Grand Traverse Bay, a Private Guesthouse offering seasonal overnight accommodations, and a serene Secret Garden where 6,000 lavender plants bloom alongside grapes and apple trees. 

Walter and Eileen Brys, proprietors of Brys Estate, planted the first of 53,000 vines in 2001 and opened the doors of their tasting room in 2005. Their 44-acre vineyard is part of the 155 acres that makes up Brys Estate. Today there are eight different varietals planted; Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Gewürztraminer. Director of Winemaking & Estate Manager, Coenraad Stassen, has earned over 500 medals in national and international wine competitions for Brys Estate since joining Walt and Eileen in 2007. Coenraad has a strong focus on producing high-quality dry reds and has a crisp, clean approach in producing whites. His focus is to be able to make world recognized wines from 100% estate grown Old Mission Peninsula AVA vinifera grapes from the Brys Estate vineyards.

Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery

United States

Winemakers

Coenraad Stassen

Director of Winemaking & Estate Manager