The tradition of annually honouring a handful of industry leaders was continued at this year’s 34th Veritas Awards ceremony, known for many years as the Oscars of the Wine Industry, on Saturday 12 October. This award, instituted by the Veritas Awards in 2009, serves as recognition for exemplary service to the industry over the years – acknowledging their commitment and paying homage to them for remarkable achievements.
Thereby, three luminaries received the 2024 Legends Scroll of Honour for their dedication to and enthusiasm and passion for the domestic wine and brandy industries.
PHILIP JORDAAN
Philip Jordaan matriculated from Boishaai in Paarl and obtained a Diploma in Cellar technology from Elsenburg College in 1979. After his studies he worked for three harvest seasons at Rooiberg Wine Cellar under the supervision of the well-known cellar master Dassie Smit.
In 1983 he was appointed as winemaker and manager at Du Toitskloof Wine Cellar near Rawsonville. Here he left his footprint as one of the best wine makers of his time. He worked at Du Toitskloof Cellars for 27 years during which he won numerous awards in a challenging industry.
He was voted Winemaker of the Year in the Breedekloof/Worcester area twice; first in 1995 and again in 2001.
One of Philip’s biggest achievements was that he managed to change Du Toitskloof from a bulk wine cellar to one of the leading role players in the bottled wine market segment with various award winning wines. Under Philip’s leadership the Du Toitskloof Sauvignon Blanc became the most sold wine by one producer at the time.
He was also succesfull in changing the perception of box wine by putting quality cultivar wines in three litre packaging. At Du Toitskloof he was the first producer to successfully put Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet/Shiraz cultivars in a 3-litre box.
Du Toitskloof was voted as Wine Magazine’s Best Value Cellar under his supervision for five consecutive years.
Since 2004 he made his own wine, a Cabernet Franc which was awarded Best Unusual Red by Wine of the month club for three consecutive years from 1998 to 2000). His Cabernet Franc was selected for the Nederburg Auction numerous times and was auctioned off for R120 per bottle in September 2010.
He served on the tasting panels of Veritas and the Wine & Spirit Board of South Africa for many years.
TIM HUTCHINSON
Thirty-nine years ago, Tim’s career in wine began when he joined Douglas Green of Paarl. In 1990 he was appointed CEO when DGB was formed, through the merger of Union Wine (Bellingham) and Douglas Green. In 1999 Tim led a management buyout of DGB with Graham Beck retaining a 20% shareholding.
Now as a major shareholder in the business, Tim’s remarkable journey began. The expansion of production facilities in Wellington in 2000 with the building of a new premium winery for Bellingham in 2002, DGB’s acquisition of Boschendal followed in 2005, a milestone which gave DGB an iconic Cape Wine brand to bring into the portfolio. Subsequent acquisitions and development of notable wineries like Franschhoek Cellars, Brampton, the Old Road Wine Company, Fryers Cove, Backsberg and now Avontuur has further solidified DGB’s presence as leaders in the Premium Sector.
During these years Tim held the view that success in the export market required a permanent presence in the key wine markets, so DGB marketing and sales offices were established in the UK, Holland, Germany, Canada, USA, Hong Kong, China, and Dubai.
In the local market Tim’s vision was to provide an effective distribution route to market supported by a national sales network which could focus on building the DGB portfolio. He believed that investments in optimal resources and structures are as important as those in excellent vineyards and wineries.
Tim’s development of DGB reflects a huge commitment to the environment and internationally recognized quality accreditations . As early as 2001 DGB was awarded multiple international accreditations for quality. Today, DGB is the only drinks business in South Africa which has the “Big 5” quality accreditations and has the largest solar installation in the Cape Winelands. Backsberg was the first fully verified Carbon Neutral winery in South Africa and all of its wines are IPW and WIETA certified.
Under Tim’s leadership DGB began investing in vineyards in several of the Capes most sought after growing regions such as Elgin, the Helderberg, the Koo Plateau and Bamboes Bay on the West coast. Today DGB works with 317 different vineyard blocks and is the largest producer of wine from Certified Heritage Vineyards. Currently in the Helderberg DGB is replanting 130 hectares of virus infected vineyards, showing their commitment to producing world class wine. It is these bold initiatives that underpin DGB’s premium wine ambitions and form part of this vision led by Tim.
His achievements have left an indelible mark on our industry.
Dr JOHANN RUPERT
Dr Johann Rupert grew up in Stellenbosch where he matriculated at Paul Roos and attended the University of Stellenbosch, studying economics and company law. After completing 3 years of studies, Rupert embarked on a career in investment banking in New York City.
In 1979 he returned to South Africa and founded the Rand Merchant Bank which he led until 1984. He then joined and went on to head the Rembrandt Group. In 1988, he established Compagnie Financière Richemont, a Swiss-based luxury group of which he is currently Chairman. He also holds senior positions in a number of other businesses.
Throughout his career, Johann Rupert has earned numerous awards and distinctions. Voted three times Most Influential Leader in South Africa, he has also been named Business Leader of the Year on a number of occasions and was singled out by the World Economic Forum in 1992 as one of its Global Leaders of Tomorrow.
He holds honorary degrees from Stellenbosch University, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, and the University of St. Andrews. In 2009, he received the University of Witwatersrand’s Management Excellence Award and was named Chancellor of Stellenbosch University.
As the chairman and largest shareholder of Richemont, the world’s third-largest luxury goods company, he has established himself as one of the most influential figures in the global luxury market.
Johann’s international business career, however, did not prevent him from having a profound interest in the South African wine industry. Distillers Corporation was started by his father Dr Anton Rupert, and Johann was well acquainted with the wine business all the years. He has played an enormous role behind the scenes to guide and inspire the wine industry to achieve greater heights for more than 30 years.
He founded the Institute of Viticulture and Viniculture with the University of Stellenbosch and provide the startup finances for five years for this very important body in the wine industry with its primary objective to coordinate longterm research. Johann wanted the wine industry needs to be at the forefront of research in SA. This research had to be used in the industry to grow its international status as a world class producer of quality wines.
The Rupert Foundation is well-known for providing bursariers for students to study viticulture and viniculture to ensure enough young people to join the industry. The Foundation ensures that children with good matric marks and passion get the opportunity to study at Elsenburg Agricultural College or the University of Stellenbosch.
Johann’s investment in his wine farm, L’Ormarins in Franschhoek, as well as other vine growing areas, has confirmed his passion to make the finest wines from the best vineyards in his drive for excellence. He was also the first grower to use the “stok-by-paaltjie” planting method on large scale on most of the farms that belongs to the group with great success in creating wines of high quality.
He was instrumental to start up the Old Vine project in 2007 with his financial support over 10 years to get this project off the ground. It led to his passion to relocate the 43 year old Chenin Blanc bush vines from Perdeberg to L’Ormarins in 2007 and 2008. These vines are now 61 years old and a special wine is made from these vines – a first in the world of wine.
As one of the most respected businessmen in the world today, Johann has not forgotten his South African wine roots. His sincere interests in the wine industry, his investment in the future of the industry, his passion for quality wines and his respect for nature has made him a true legend of our industry.
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