Spier appoints Johan Jordaan as cellar master

Source: Supplied - Johan Jordaan

Jordaan succeeds his mentor and industry icon, Frans Smit, who has now taken on the role of Spier's managing director after 25 years of winemaking and viticultural leadership. Jordaan says of his appointment: "It's an honour to serve my team in my new role as Cellar Master, especially as I am keenly aware that I am following in the seasoned and accomplished footsteps of one of South Africa's leading winemakers.

"It's a testimony to his incredible mentorship and leadership that as a team, we actively develop talent from within, giving our long-standing members the opportunities to grow on-the-job and follow individual pathways to develop their potential."

Raised on a grape farm in Rawsonville, Jordaan went on to study a Diploma in Oenology from Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch. Having joined Spier in 2007, he has played his role on a wine team that has achieved a long list of industry achievements and accolades. In 2011, Jordaan received the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year award.