Dave Hughes Benefit

Thursday, 10 April, 2014
Fiona McDonald
The contribution that Dave Hughes has made to the South African wine and spirit industry is marked by the many citations and awards he has received over the years, most local but more than a few international too. He’s a man who is accorded respect and honour not because he demands it but because people give it freely due to his modest humility.

Over the decades of isolation and subsequently Dave’s encyclopaedic knowledge, expertise and sage advice has been willingly and freely given – and in generous quantity. As with any wine or mathematical equation there needs to be a balance – and an opportunity to demonstrate the value Dave Hughes has within the South African wine and spirit fraternity. Hence the Dave Hughes Benefit Year in 2014/15.

Just as a cricketer would enjoy a Benefit Year in the twilight of his career, when fans and supporters can show their gratitude for the role he has played so it was thought that Dave Hughes too should have a Benefit as he calls time on his 75th year in 2014. A legally administered Trust Account has been set up to receive any and all donations.

The first of a number of fund-raising events planned is a Golf Day to be held at the Stellenbosch Golf Club on Thursday 15 May. The field is restricted to 25 four-ball alliances and the entry fee is R5 000 per four-ball.

Although still in preparation, a host of other events are planned which will take place later in the year as well as into 2015, ending with a suitably impressive gala dinner to honour Dave Hughes. These events include intimate and exclusive wine and whisky evenings in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban celebrated with special and unique wines and spirits; garden Champagne and oyster soirées; casual shorts and ‘shoes optional’ family boulle days and picnics as well as an evening of entertainment.

Anyone wishing to enter the Dave Hughes Benefit Golf Day should either telephone or email Jane Ledger on 082 335 2691 or email jane@liquidscience.co.za. For any further donations please contact either Celia Gilloway at celia@classicwine.co.za / 082 – 782 1977 or Fiona McDonald – 082 562 4176 / feemac@telkomsa.net or Lorna Hughes on 073 420 3300 or llhughes@telkomsa.net,