VERITAS 2019

VERITAS AWARDS 2019 10

VERITAS PAYS HOMAGE TO LEADING INDUSTRY FIGURES The tradition of annually honouring a handful of industry leaders was continued at this year’s 29th Veritas Awards ceremony on Friday 11 October. This award serves as recognition for exemplary service to the industry over the years – acknowledging their commitment and paying homage for remarkable achieve- ments. Thereby, seven luminaries received the 2019 Living Legends Scroll of Honour for their dedication to and enthusiasm and passion for the domestic wine and brandy industries. In this year of the Rugby World Cup, the Veritas Board decided to use the opportunity to present the Legends Award to two of the legendary rugby player-winemakers from South Africa. JAN BOLAND COETZEE Revered as a former rugby legend, Jan Boland graduated in Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch. He played for Western Province in 1967 - 1979 and then for the Springboks in 1974 - 1976, turning out as flanker in six tests for the Boks. Both his rugby and wine prowess started at Stellenbosch University, where he impressed as player for the Maties. He started his winemaking career at Kanonkop in 1968. In 1980 he bought the Vriesenhof farm and after releasing his 1981 vintage, spent a season working intensively in Burgundy, confirming his love for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Jan believes that the quest for quality is an ongoing passion that requires constant dedication and care. His philosophy has been that “to make a great wine, you must understand the soil, the plant and the climate”. He received an honorary doctorate from Stellenbosch University in April this year – honouring him for his “pursuit of excellence in the development of technology and management in the South African wine industry, and in the crafting of fine South African wines” and “for his generosity of spirit through his selfless dedication to knowledge transfer and engaged citizenship to improve the working and living conditions of farm workers”. KIFFIE DE WET Kiffie has been one of those very busy wine personalities. His role as a dedicated wine chemist in his career of over 50 years stands out while he also excelled as a lecturer, wine consultant and winemaker. He graduated with BSc and MSc degrees in Chemistry from the University of Stellenbosch before starting his career as research officer at ARC-Nietvoorbij in Stellenbosch. Then followed periods as Chief Technical Officer at the US Department of Oenology, Research Chemist at Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery and Chief Chemist at KWV, before his appointment as Cellar Manager and Lecturer in Wine Chemistry, Elsenburg Agricultural College. His last position was Winemaker, Wine Chemist and Lecturer at the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training, Elsenburg, where his presentation and evaluation of theoretical and practical instructional offerings in Higher Education were highly regarded. His valuable contribution over many years as a wine chemist in the industry and lecturer at Elsenburg earns him this special award. HEMPIES DU TOIT For fifth generation winemaker Hempies du Toit, it was the most natural thing in the world to go into farming where his family roots are. After studying Oenology and Viticulture at the University of Stellenbosch, he joined his father, Piet, at Alto – this being the 1970s and Alto then being one of South Africa’s most famous wine estates. Hempies, also a rugby legend, is remembered as one of the strongest and craftiest tight-heads ever to don the Springbok rugby jersey. He earned five caps as a front row strongman in South Africa’s national Springbok team in 1981 - 1984. However, the love for wine brought him back to Alto Wine Estate where he grew up, where his grandfather, Manie, and father were winemakers. Piet du Toit was the winemaker from 1959 to 1983, when Hempies took over. It was a tenure of many successes, including the honour of being awarded a “grand slam” at the 1993 Vinexpo in Bordeaux. The 1984 vintage of the Cabernet Sauvignon was the only