Clos Malverne Appoints New Winemaker
Charl Coetzee, previously the winemaker at Kaapzicht for the past four years, has been appointed winemaker at Clos Malverne, and will replace IP Smit who will be leaving to pursue his own business interests.
Charl, who obtained a BSc in Oenology and a BSc Honours in Viticulture at Stellenbosch University, has gathered wide experience during his diverse travels around the world of wine. His winemaking positions have included: assistant winemaker at Domaine de Clivet in Burgundy, France; Jackson Estate in Marlborough, New Zealand; Ktima Biblia Chora in Kokkinochori, Greece; Weingut Jakob Jung in Erbach, Rheingau, Germany; and, winemaker at Cramele Recas Winery in Timisoara, Romania.
IP Smit has had an extremely happy and successful career at Clos Malverne since his first vintage in 1998. It is no coincidence that the majority of Clos Malverne’s successes have been achieved during his tenure as winemaker. IP will be staying on for a while to assist Charl with the 2008 harvest, as Clos Malverne will be focusing predominantly on their Sauvignon Blanc, a varietal with which IP has considerable experience. Zaine Pritchard, Clos Malverne’s Managing Director, asserts that Clos Malverne will sorely miss IP’s skill and hard work in the vineyards and cellar, but he is, nevertheless, very excited about Charl joining the team.
Zaine believes that Charl can effectively manage the balance between Clos Malverne’s commercial interests and award-winning wines. “We have grown considerably over the last two years and I know that Charl will be up to the challenges of our continued growth. Charl’s viticultural expertise will stand him in good stead as his role at Clos Malverne is to be two-fold, as both viticulturist and winemaker.”
Charl Coetzee comments on his readiness to embrace this challenge, as he comments on both his enthusiasm and nervous energy with regard to the imminent harvest: “I am a bit nervous” admits Charl, “but nervous in a positive way, in an exciting way”. He goes on to expound on how he is “not only looking forward to learning how the cellar works, but most of all experiencing it – absorbing every minuscule detail of what is going on”. He is fully cognisant of the fact that teamwork is of paramount importance, that everyone’s role is vital in crafting the ultimate wine. He realises that he will rely on his cellar team a great deal, and that forging these relationships is crucial. He is equally excited about getting to know the vineyards, the grapes and what the terroir has to offer. “I won’t be changing too much at first, but as soon as I have found my feet.....watch this space!” retorts Charl Coetzee.
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