Dave Hughes Tribute Dinner

Monday, 17 April, 2017
Celia Gilloway
It would not be immodest to say that the South African wine industry would not be the same were it not for the role played by Dave Hughes – particularly during the isolationist period before international barriers came down post-apartheid. He’s a man who is accorded respect and honour, locally and abroad, not because he demands it but because people give it freely due to his modesty and humility.

THE TRIBUTE EVENT on Fri 9th June IS SOLD OUT - Thank you to all who are going to be there!

Dave Hughes played a significant role in flying the South African flag at international wine education conferences as well as the International Wine & Spirit Competition for decades. His role as a taster of wine and spirits is acknowledged worldwide and he counts some of the luminaries of the global wine fraternity as friends and colleagues – from Italy, to California, Australia and New Zealand and beyond.

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 balance. Sadly, of late – due to osteoporosis, a hip replacement and a minor stroke, Dave’s balance is also out of kilter! As is typical of the man, he’s facing the challenge of mobility with characteristic good humour.

The Dave Hughes Tribute dinner being held at Neethlingshof in June 2017 provides an opportunity for the wine and spirit fraternity to show their affection and regard for this remarkable man.

The gala dinner will incorporate a special Tribute auction with some very special lots available. Patrick Grubb MW, the longest serving wine auctioneer in the world who worked closely with Dave at the annual Nederburg Auction has donated a bottle of 1914 Madeira while long-time friends John and Erica Platter are prepared to spend a weekend playing golf and cooking and eating curry in KwaZulu-Natal with the lucky bidder on the Platter lot!

The venue for the Tribute dinner, which is being catered by Masterchef SA and Ultimate Braaimaster judge Pete Goffe-Wood, is Neethlingshof Estate on Friday, June 9. Tickets are R1000.00 per head and available from Celia Gilloway.

For more details or to enquire about buying tickets to the Tribute, contact Celia Gilloway at 082 782 1977 or celia@eventsbycelia.com.