Cape Winemakers Guild
enters 2014 with new Chairman
Andries Burger, award
winning winemaker of Paul Cluver Estate Wines, has been appointed as the new
Chairman of the Cape Winemakers Guild.
Taking over the reins
from Jeff Grier of Villiera Wines, Andries who served as Vice Chairman during
2012, embraces his new portfolio with great vision that will see the Guild
expand its role in furthering transformation and setting new benchmarks for
South African winemaking.
“I see my role as
chairman as an extension of the goal of the Cape Winemakers Guild, to guide the
Guild in its quest to further knowledge and expertise in ensuring that South
African wines are rated amongst the best in the world.
It is also important
that we continue to strive for improvement in our industry and that we, through
projects such as the Guild’s Protégé Programme, nurture and create leaders for
the future,” says Andries, who has been making wines at Paul Cluver since the
1997 harvest and joined the Guild in 2010.
Andries considers his
selection as a member of the Guild amongst his most significant career
highlights. Other major achievements include his 2011 Riesling Noble Late
Harvest named white wine of the year in the 2013 Platter’s South African Wine
Guide; his 2012 Gewurztraminer winning the Decanter Trophy for the best dry
aromatic varietal in the world; his 2009 Chardonnay winning the Trophy for the
best Chardonnay at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show for two consecutive years as
well as winning the Trophy for the best white wine of the show. The same wine
was also voted best Chardonnay and best white wine of the Five Nations Wine
Challenge.
Andries will be
supported on the Guild’s Management Committee by new Vice Chairman Miles Mossop
of Tokara, whilst David Finlayson of Edgebaston serves another year as
Treasurer. Louis Nel of Louis Wines is the Guild’s official Cellarmaster for
2014 with David Nieuwoudt of Cederberg Private Cellar responsible for the
Guild’s technical workshops and marketing.
The Cape Winemakers
Guild comprises 45 of South Africa’s most respected winemakers with the single
minded vision to elevate the standing of the South African wine industry
through their on-going commitment to transformation and the production of
world-class, quality wines.
For
more information on the Guild, visit: www.capewinemakersguild.com, email info@capewinemakersguild.com or call Tel: +27 +21-852 0408.
