Eben Bezuidenhoud is a SASA* certified sommelier and wine consultant in Cape Town, South Africa.
As a freelance sommelier, Eben provides personalised wine services to private and corporate clients, wine producers and restaurants in a way that makes wine accessible and fun.
Eben’s love for fine wine and decadent food germinated while growing up in the Walker Bay area of the Cape, South Africa’s Pinot noir mecca. The developing industry in the area prompted him to attend Stellenbosch University where he obtained a BSc Agric degree in viticulture and oenology. Knowing that wine needs to be understood on an international level, he moved to Europe where he completed a roaming Master’s degree. Here he lived in and traveled to some of Europe’s most renowned wine regions, including the Loire Valley of France, Emilia Romagna of Italy, Valencia in Spain and numerous others. But it was only upon his return to South Africa that he was granted the opportunity to enter the sommeliering world.
Having worked for prestigious properties such as Singita Game Reserves and Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Eben’s passion lies in introducing both hospitality staff and the consumer to the smorgasbord of wine styles and philosophies that South Africa has on offer. Staff training and wine list compilation are two of the passions in what he does. Eben believes that education is the key to becoming a true master at anything.
Browse his website at www.ebenbezuidenhoud.co.za for the full menu of his sommelier services, including tasting engagements, bespoke events, wine tours, cellar design and management, wine list consulting and hospitality staff training.