A Veritas Legend is no less than an icon – an individual who has shaped the industry through his/her wine making or viticultural abilities, or writing, research or promotional contribution.   Seven of these individuals received their specially designed scrolls of honour at the 2011 Veritas Awards ceremony.

The 2011 list of legends includes such industry giants as David Biggs, Maureen Joubert, Peter Veldsman, Dr Kobus Conradie, Bernhard Lüttich, Allan Mullins, and Hans Rabie.

“A living legend can hail from the likes of prominent retired wine makers, brandy masters, viticulturists, industry leaders, researchers, wine writers, wine ambassadors and wine personalities,” explains Duimpie Bayly, chairman of the SANWSA.  “These are people who have done more than their share to help establish a strong and vibrant industry that brings forth high quality wines and brandies.”

David Biggs started writing about wine in 1979 and has been producing a weekly wine column for the Cape Argus for the last 30 years.  He co-authored the book, Enjoy Wine, with Dave Hughes, was honoured by the Cape Wine and Spirit Education Trust for his ‘Exceptional Contribution to Wine and Spirit Education’ and been a member of the judging panel of the Veritas Awards competition every year since it started.

Maureen Joubert deserves the acclaim as Veritas Legend for the vital role she played in promoting the image of wine and women in this previously male-dominated environment during her years as the first and to date only female editor of Wynboer.

Foodie Peter Veldsman, once dubbed the ‘bravest restaurateur’ by Eat Out magazine, is indeed an icon on the South African food and wine scene. Veldsman started his career at the first experimental cooking school in SA, served time as the food editor of Sarie magazine, and won various food and wine and writing awards – both locally and internationally. He has been included in the ‘Who’s who of the World’ since 2004.

Researcher Dr Kobus Conradie’s most important contribution to the wine industry came from his research about the terroir concept and the issue of vine nutrition. The aim of his fertilisation programme was towards sustainable and realistic production levels and optimum wine quality and current fertilisation guidelines are mostly based on his research. The SA Viticulture and Oenology Society lauded him for his work with the research prize in 1986 and 1991.  His research about the effect of soil and climate (terroir) on wine quality, especially in terms of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, has greatly influenced the industry.

Berhard Lüttich was managing wine maker for the Windmeul Co-op wine cellar for 20 years during which time he led this winery to great prize-winning heights.  One of his pioneering lectures at Nietvoorbij about the sugar-acid relationship in Chenin Blanc and Colombard impacted the wine making landscape significantly when wine makers – at first reluctantly – started paying close attention to this relationship and the testing thereof.

Allan Mullins, only the sixth Cape Wine Master when he earned this title in 1986, has been noted to have ‘a razor-sharp palate, sharper than any knife in Gordon Ramsay’s kitchen’.  His career in wine blossomed from joining Woolworths as a wine selector, being promoted to wine selection manager to his current position as independent consultant responsible for the selection of all wines, blending of wines, marketing and training for this chain. Mullins is an accomplished wine judge, author of various articles and senior lecturer for the Cape Wine Academy.

Hans Rabie is a legend in the Breede River Valley.  Not only did he serve on the Provincial Council for Worcester, he was also chairman of the Central Board of Farmer Associations, founder member and director of the Nuy Wine Cellar and president of the Worcester Agricultural Society. Rabie twice won the award for the best designed farm in the area and lead the process of establishing the Worcester farm museum, Kleinplasie.

For further information contact Elsabé Ferreira at tel (021) 807 3104 or e-mail to information@veritas.co.za

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Issued by             Marlene Truter Communications
082 7727 519
info@marlenetruter.co.za

On behalf of  Veritas Awards

Contact Elsabé Ferreira
021 807 3104
information@veritas.co.za