The spirit of the Back Family shines at centenary celebration

Friday, 1 July, 2016
Backsberg
There was no candle-lit cake - nor any singing - but last week’s 100th year celebration to mark the founding of Backsberg Estate Cellars went down as one of the most auspiciously genuine wine events in recent times.

Not for glitz, glamour and hype, but rather for the outpouring of friendship, respect and honest humanity by and for the generations of the Back family who have made Backsberg such an integral and fondly respected part of the South African wine industry.

Some 100 guests of the Back family turned up for a celebration of a special wine farm, a proud ancestry whose members have left - and continue to leave - deep footprints in the South African wine industry, as well as the importance of family and friends.

Family and close friends and individuals who have elicited a special place in the hearts of Michael and Jill joined the family to pay tribute as well as - in true tradition - eat, drink and make merry.

Michael and Jill Back can feel tremendously proud of their two kids who made honest and heartfelt tributes to their parents, whilst at the same time reminding the folks of the charming, well-spoken and confident young people they have raised in Simon and Jenny. Jenny’s pride in the role Simon was playing in taking over as CEO of Backsberg, as well as the latter’s honouring his father as “my true role-model” gave those present an important insight into the special role relationships play in keeping a successful family business going from strength-to-strength.

Abigail Bisogno, daughter of late Cyril Back (Sydney’s brother) sketched an intimate and often hilarious picture of what it was like being a woman in the Back family. From the way the Back kids were hugged, fed and looked after by Granma Hannah, to the manner in which all the Back men doted on their wives, Abi’s recollections were poignant and insightful into the strength of the Back stock.

After-all, a penniless immigrant from Lithuania does not come to a country you don’t know - as pater familias Charles Louis Back did –  build-up two farms without having a bloodline of admirable endurance and familial commitment.

Well-known figures in the South African wine industry, Danie de Wet and Michael Fridjhon, both reminisced on their deep friendships with the late Sydney Back: his pioneering role in furthering the wine industry’s focus on cultivars and estate-orientated production; dedication to detail and absolute focus in the various aspects of business he succeeded in; a loyal friend, a witty conversationalist and someone whose love of Backsberg was only eclipsed by his dedication to family.

Many of those present would have been surprised at Michael Back’s talking for almost an hour, and tales of his and Jill’s adventures across Africa and Asia as well as the challenges he faced whilst at the helm of Backsberg proved that irreverence, pioneering spirit and looking at things differently is a part of the Back DNA, and is alive and well.

The day’s menu was a story in itself, traversing old family favourites as well as inspirations collected from Michael and Jill’s extraordinary travels: Pickled Herring (Jill’s mom Rae), Samoosas inspired by an Indian trip and Granma Hannah’s Borscht. Further on, lamb tagine from Morocco, tongue in ginger and raisin sauce (Jill’s dad Chippy) and Duck in orange sauce - the first “smart” meal Jill cooked for Michael.

Wines included the six-bottle selection specially made by Backsberg winemaker Alecia Rechner for the 2016 centenary, while Simon raided his father’s cellar, allowing guests to experience older Backsberg vintages from as far back as the 1960’s. And of course, dessert was accompanied by the Sydney Back brandy, estate brandy being another one of Backsberg’s contributions to its pioneering status in the wine industry.

The sustenance was generous and splendid. But you did not actually need food, dessert, wine and brandy. The spirit of the Backs, alive and well, does more than enough to nourish those honoured enough to know them, and to have had the privilege of sharing in this event.

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Terrific older Backsberg vintages
Terrific older Backsberg vintages

Wine industry stalwarts Danie de Wet, Michael Fridjhon & Duimpie Bayly
Wine industry stalwarts Danie de Wet, Michael Fridjhon & Duimpie Bayly

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