This Week - Johann de Wet of Dewetshof Wine Estate will talk about how they became a Chardonnay House and how the estate has developed from there.

 

Johann de Wet from De Wetshof is the third member of the De Wet family to gain membership to the Commanderie de Bordeaux, the French organisation recognising members of the international wine fraternity for their contribution to promoting the culture and wine of Bordeaux.

Johann, who is responsible for marketing and vineyard management on De Wetshof, joins his father Danie and brother Peter on the South Africa chapter of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. During his induction the Commanderie lauded Johann’s role in helping establish the Bordeaux cultivars Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot on De Wetshof.

Together with Peter, these site-specific vineyards have allowed De Wetshof to add prestigious Bordeaux-styled red wines to the Estate’s collection of acclaimed whites as well as Pinot Noir. A life-long visitor to the chateaux of Bordeaux, Johann’s contribution in promoting the viticulture techniques and wines of the iconic French region to South African wine-lovers was also recognised.

According to Johann, Commanderie membership is a tremendous honour as it underscores the important role heritage and culture play in the world of wine.

“I have been visiting Bordeaux regularly since my primary school days and the region has played a profound role in my outlook to wine,” he says. “In Bordeaux wine is life and it is culture. As a young South African wine producer it is important to acknowledge the role Bordeaux plays in influencing winemakers, viticulturalists and wine-lovers - it certainly has made a tremendous mark on my approach to wine. To be recognised by the Commanderie of this wonderful region is an honour you thus cannot approach without a sense of true humbleness.”

Last Week

Willemien Kleijn of the SA Guide Dogs Association spoke on the work of The College of Orientation and Mobility.

It was a fascinating talk as she discussed the various aspects of training for blind and partially sighted people and the obstacles that they have to overcome at home, outside the home in the street, shops etc.  She also spoke of the three aids were available to help them, the white cane, a gadget to assist with filling containers with liquid and a clip to hold banknotes that enables them to know the value of the notes.

It was decided to give our weekly Porky Pig personal brag collection to purchase the three items.

Next Week

Alwyn Colyn, MD Fezemax Training Academy on “Decentralised Training and trade-test centre for Heavy Equipment,Diesel, Forklift, Tractor, motor mechanics and  transportation Electricians.

International - England

An event to celebrate Indian culture featured local luminaries with Bollywood connections and raised about $2,200 for the Rotary Club of Maidenhead Bridge’s service work. Attendees included Chittal Shah, choreographer to celebrities, and vocalist Atul Pushkarna, both of whom now reside in the United Kingdom. Ten of the club’s 55 members are from India or have Indian heritage. “The laughter, dancing, and genuine sense of connection in the room showed just how powerful cultural celebration can be in bringing people together for a good cause,” says Lisa Hunter, charter president of the club. The November event helped fund a Parkinson’s disease support group and a trip by the club’s vocational training team to Uganda for a maternal and child health initiative.