I grew up in the world-renowned surfing paradise of Jeffreys Bay, a coastal town situated in the beautiful Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
From a young age I’ve always been intrigued by the beauty of nature and all its complexities, and this led me to studying Forestry at the Saasveld College in George. It was here where I became intrigued by winemaking through my roommate’s family’s involvement in the industry. After I completed my studies, I came to the realisation that a full time career on a forest plantation was not exactly what I wanted to do.
An extended six-month harvest stint at Slanghoek Cellar in Rawsonville was followed by another six-month tenure at the famous Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate in California in the USA, and needless to say, I was hooked!
Upon my return to South Africa, I enrolled for my winemaking studies at the Elsenburg College. It was during this period, while working a harvest at the Koelenhof Cellar outside Stellenbosch, where I met my current day mentor, Beyers Truter.
Known as the “Pinotage King” of South Africa, he played a profound role in evoking a deep love and understanding of the Pinotage grape varietal within me.
I’m a firm believer that my forestry background helped me tremendously with my winemaking skills, as both fields focus on the relationship between plant, soil and the sun for optimal production.
Nature has always been at the centre of my life’s decisions, and is the ultimate guide when it comes to viticulture – knowing which cultivars suit which slopes, soil and altitudes best.
My winemaking ethos is based on three pillars:
- Creativity
- Science
- Passion