RIP Michael Hans ‘Spatz' Sperling

Spatz and Nelson (Photo: Samarie Smith)

Over 60 years, Spatz grew this farm on the Simonsberg into one of the most enduringly popular and successful wine destinations, creating many firsts in the process. Among the most notable, Delheim was the first farm to send out a newsletter and to serve cheese platters for lunch (first restaurant on a South African wine farm). Spatz was ahead of the game too when it came to wines the consumer wanted. His first effort, however, was the famous Spatzendreck which has been loved by many since 1961. Heerenwijn, a light and dry white wine, was a first of its kind. At the other end of the scale, in the 1970s, Spatz recognised growing demand for red wines, purchasing prime vineyard land on Klapmutskop, which he named Vera Cruz after his wife. Delheim’s flagship, the Cabernet-led Grand Reserve, first produced in 1981 and among the early Bordeaux-style blends, comes from these vineyards.

Over the years this family-run wine farm also became a microcosm of Spatz’s visionary work in the greater Stellenbosch community and the Cape Winelands as a whole. In the days when there were few privately owned farms, Spatz, Sydney Back of Backsberg and Frans Malan of Simonsig, founded the Cape Estate Wine Producers. Together they were also instrumental in transforming wine estate legislation which led to the 1973 Wine of Origin system. Spatz was, together with Frans Malan, and Neil Joubert of Spier, a founding member of the Stellenbosch Wine Route (using his persuasive charm to convince the authorities that traffic signboards should be allowed) and was involved in the founding of both the Stellenbosch Bottled Wine Show and Food and Wine Festival.

He had a passion for trees, especially fond of his pine forest and contributed to the South African Timber Growers Association as chairman.

The wine industry’s ultimate recognition of Spatz’s extraordinary contribution came in 2009 when he was honoured with the 350 Celebration Scroll in the year South Africa celebrated 350 years of winemaking.

Tributes pouring in

Paying tribute to Spatz Sperling of @Delheim with this SA Champion; drinking so well. Prost! RIP Spatz. pic.twitter.com/ehLk3F0sEf

— Angela Lloyd (@AngelaLloyd1) October 8, 2017

Spatzendreck in Gera Germany- cheers to a pioneer Spatz Sperling pic.twitter.com/svO9EVkDfe

— Delheim (@Delheim) September 9, 2017

Shiraz SA mourns the passing of Spatz Sperling, one of the SA wine industry's most colourful amazing icons. Will sadly be missed pic.twitter.com/42Bit7bmXz

— Shiraz_SA (@Shiraz_SA) October 8, 2017

Sincere condolences to @Delheim & Sperling families with the passing of the beloved Spatz Sperling. Thx for all his done for SA wine. ������ pic.twitter.com/eiPcrcpwbV

— PinoBiltongFest (@PinoBiltongFest) October 8, 2017

Spatz is survived by his wife Vera and children Victor, Nora, Maria, Nicholas and grandchildren Rudi, Karl, Gabriele, Michael, Louis and Renzo. Bizcommunity’s condolences go out to Spatz’s family, friends and the Delheim team.