EXPERIENCED WINEMAKER HANDLING 2^nd HARVEST AT AVONTUUR

Jan van Rooyen, with nearly two decades' worth of wine-making experience, has been Avontuur Estate's winemaker from the beginning of 2011 and is gearing up for the 2012 harvest.

When asked about his objectives for the wines,  he cagily said that he has a 10 year plan, but would love to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors and  improve on the quality of the premier range wines, especially the Chardonnay.   He plans to concentrate on producing great Reds from this farm?s  incredible Helderberg terroir and have fun with the bubbly, the brandies and the noble late harvest.

To get to know Jan a bit better and find out more about his plans for the winery, we asked him a few questions:

1. WHICH WAS THE FIRST WINE THAT MADE ANY SENSE?
   

In 1993 whilst working at the Department of Agriculture, I organized tastings for some of my colleagues and discovered a 1973 bottle of French Sauvignon Blanc in a dusty storeroom.  For a laugh, I decided to include it in the line-up, but great was my surprise and pleasure, when it turned out to be fantastic!  That really made me think about what I wanted from my wine-making career.

2. TELL US ABOUT YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT WITH WINE?
   

I was in my first year of study at Stellenbosch University and was included in a tasting with my professor and senior students where we had to score the wines.  I decided - in my 'wisdom'  that a Nederberg Edelkeur was only worth 11 points, to the absolute shock and derision of the co-tasters!  As my prof said drily:  "Well he's honest at least, but has a long way to go"  Years later when my own noble late harvest achieved double gold at Veritas, I thought: 'Yes prof, and eventually I got there!?'

3. MY BEST FOOD & WINE EXPERIENCE WAS?
   

I am a huge bubbly fan and in my 4^th year at varsity Moet & Chandon launched a dessert-style bubbly in the most beautiful, mini-packaging.  I immediately decided to arrange a 100% bubbly-paired  meal and invited 4 friends.  Obviously I had to fork out for the Moet, but everyone else also  brought samples of the best they could afford. I cooked my heart out and we had bubbly from the welcome drink right through to the dessert which culminated with my exclusive Moet!  I believed then and still do, that bubbly should not only be kept for special occasions or celebrations, and this meal proved my point.

4.  IF YOU WERE NOT MAKING WINE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
   

I read fiction, listen to a wide spectrum of music from contemporary through to jazz and opera and when I'm on holiday at the beach, love foraging for fresh mussels off the rocks.  Hobbies which I wish I had more time for, include fly fishing and golf.

5. MY LAST GLASS OF WINE WOULD BE?
   

.. a tiny, but perfect crystal glass filled to the brim of the world's most famous noble late harvest dessert wine, Chateau D'Yquem.  I'd rather wave farewell to the world with a gorgeous sweet mouthful than anything else!