Trio takes 2009 Patrick Grubb wine-making bursary

Andrew Williams

The bursary is a joint initiative between the Nederburg Auction and Patrick Grubb, an auctioneer at the event for 31 consecutive years and member of the British Institute of Masters of Wine.

It enables individuals from previously disadvantaged communities, working in the wine industry, to gain international experience.

This brings the number of successful young winemakers to have benefited since the programme's inception, in 1998, to 18.

“We were very impressed with the high calibre of candidates this year, which really made the selection process so much harder. We look for cellar experience, level of knowledge and an understanding of the industry, and the three candidates we chose this year definitely met this criteria,” said Bennie Howard, a consultant to the auction.

Says Fischer of his selection: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to observe the difference between winemaking in South Africa and winemaking abroad. I would like to gain experience and come back to South Africa with more knowledge and a greater future.”

Fellow winner, Pieterse, was equally delighted by the announcement. “It was such an unexpected surprise when I heard the wonderful news that I was one of the chosen three for the Patrick Grubb Bursary winemaking-working trip to France. Cabernet Sauvignon is my favourite varietal and it will be so amazing to work with this varietal in a cellar in the country of its birth. I am looking forward to the experience and to learning more so that I will be even better equipped to assist David, the cellar master, in the Overgaauw cellar. I do not actually know how to thank the Patrick Grubb Bursary for this once in a lifetime experience,” he said.

For Williams, this will be his first trip overseas. “I am thrilled to have been selected as a winner and look forward to broadening my experience in the winemaking industry. The thought of traveling to another country is very exciting.”

The 35th Nederburg Auction, which takes place from 11 - 12 September 2009, marks the final allocation of the Patrick Grubb Bursary.