“I was brought up in a close knit and fairly Afrikaans family where Vetkoekpaleis, Noot Vir Noot and Sunday family braais were all a weekly ritual. When I was 15 my family was given the option to move to Europe and the world opened its doors to me. I lived in Germany and Holland for a total of 15 years where I completed high school. I then went on to study numerous subjects such as Tourism/Leisure Management/Ornithology but I couldn't seem to find direction. When I wasn’t studying I was traveling all over the world from Asia and throughout Europe turning my passport into an atlas. I soaked up the local culture and language in every country we lived in and I became very good at adapting to my surroundings. Europe was a wonderful experience but it was time to return back to my home country. Not long after my return I met my wife Samantha, and that was love at first coffee. At that time she was working for a winery and somehow her passion for wine rubbed off on me. I gradually started to grow in knowledge by studying and my personal favourite, drinking wine or as we call it “research”. My wine career path flourished as I worked for some great wineries that served as stepping-stones to finding a home at Môreson.”
Tell us something people would be surprised to hear about you?
I guess it might come as a surprise to some that I am fully South African although I have a German/Dutch/American pavement special way of pronouncing things. It does seem to baffle our guests and has started a few bets at tables. I actually have exactly the same birth date as my boss and we are going to have twins soon, …what are the chances of that! (GM Nikki Friedman is also a mother to twins).
Your favourite wine in the Moreson range?
This question is always difficult—but for me the wine that is not on any list is normally one that I remember. The FYM, MKM and Fudge makes my heart melt!
What do you like most about working in wine?
It is always exciting working with people as you never know who will walk through the door next.
Other than wine - what do you get up to in your spare time?
What is spare time? In my spare time we like to visit interesting wine estates and restaurants. If I get a minute to slip away and find my golf clubs, I visit the driving range. We like to relax, braai and follow some addictive series on TV.
Favourite part of the Môreson farm?
There are two ways to look at my favourite parts of the farm: People, we are all a big family on the estate working to achieve the same goal. And my favourite spot on the estate – other than the tasting room is the smell of the Chardonnay cellar, but my favourite place on the farm is outside in-between the vines.