‘Porseleinberg will outlast us all,’ mentioned the property’s proprietor Marc Kent, evaluating the inevitable transience of the human expertise to the timelessness of the location. He shared this whereas relaying the information of Callie Louw’s upcoming departure from the Swartland concern this August.
Kent acquired the small, schistous Porseleinberg in 2009, on the lookout for a web site to develop high quality Syrah grapes to make use of in Boekenhoutskloof’s profitable Chocolate Block pink mix.
Since then Louw has guided each single one of many web site’s 15 vintages to bottle, producing a single-vineyard Syrah that has now achieved cult standing.
Happiest within the vineyards (his obsession with agricultural equipment producer John Deere is properly documented), Louw made the choice to depart Boekenhoutskloof with the intention to pursue his dream of buying his personal land.
With the backing of a monetary companion, he has completed simply that by buying a farm known as Uitvlugt on the Paardeberg foothills. The maiden wines are anticipated in 2028.
Louw’s upcoming exit has triggered one thing of a domino impact throughout the Boekenhoutskloof and Porseleinberg portfolios, successfully reshuffling the deck.
Eben Meiring, at present working alongside Gottfried Mocke at Boekenhoutskloof, has been named as Louw’s successor. ‘It’s time for him to step out of Gottfried’s shadow,’ Kent emphasised. ‘Eben understands the location, having labored extensively with the Porseleinberg fruit. In soccer phrases, he’s a part of our academy.’
Kent additionally identified that he has personally blended each classic of Porseleinberg alongside Louw and can proceed to take action with Meiring.
Boekenhoutskloof’s chief winemaker Mocke is claimed to be ‘taking up broader oversight and management of winemaking and associated duties throughout the portfolio’.
Supporting this transition is the appointment of Ruan van Schalkwyk, most lately at Kanonkop, who will take up the reins on the Franschhoek cellar.
Nonetheless to be finalised is the securing of a brand new viticulturist to handle Boekenhoutskloof’s different Swartland vineyards, which have been beforehand below Louw’s care.
Kent says these modifications have been in movement for a while: ‘Persons are wanting to develop.’
He added: ‘I had a great chat with Callie lately over a bottle of Rayas. Callie is an plain star, a outstanding character, and an awesome good friend. I’m assured he’ll succeed. He’s been an unimaginable asset to us. I want him each success.’
Subscribe to our South African publication to listen to from Callie Louw himself this August, as he shares his thrilling plans with Decanter.
