I am a 20-something wine-lover that lives in Cape Town, South Africa. I manage a small Wine Brokerage firm that imports and stores fine wines. My spare time is split between the appreciation of fine wine and food, travelling and wine studies. I am also an avid cyclist, both off and on-road and compete in events around South Africa. I also enjoy trail-running as well as kite-boarding in the summer. Being close to the winelands, dramatic mountains, pristine beaches and wilderness makes Cape Town the best city in the world for me!

WINE

Growing up in Johannesburg, my first wine experience was at Stellenbosch university and SA’s most loved jug-wine, Tassenburg. Usually more for effect than enjoyment, it was only upon tasting a more expensive bottle that I found more to wine than its thirst quenching and inebriating qualities. The Tuesday and Thursday tours with the University’s Wine and Culture society sparked a passion for wine and less of a passion for the Economics degree I was studying. During my final year I finished up a few subject whilst working at a wine retail and export company and attended as many tastings as possible. I enrolled in the Cape Wine Academy courses and completed the Diploma with sights set on the Master of Wine qualification. Since University I have worked as a Sommelier in Cape Town as well as a short stint in London. During 2005 I started as the manager of Wine Cellar, a small cellaring and fine wine brokering firm in Observatory Cape Town.

The same year I started the Master of Wine qualification in London, picking up valuable experience and meeting wine-lovers all over the world. I continue with these highly demanding studies. See www.masters-of-wine.org

I also write for Wine Tourism News, taste for various competitions as well as the Platters Wine Guide and WINE magazine.