Thursday, 13 August, 2020
wine.co.za
Few winemakers walk a 24-year long journey with the same winery, but Spier cellarmaster, Frans Smit, has seen the popular Stellenbosch wine estate grow from humble beginnings into the successful destination it is today. Starting as a "rookie" in 1996, just after the new owners took over, Frans was responsible for building the new cellar and planting new vineyards.
"In my first two years, I made wine and handled marketing and sales. It was a great learning experience. I never really worked under a senior winemaker, I just taught myself", he remembers.
Today, Spier has become one of the winelands' most popular destinations, with restaurants, a hotel and a massive tourist offering.
Click HERE to listen to the interview (in Afrikaans) or click on IMAGE BELOW
Keep up with all the top winemakers through our monthly Meet the Winemaker Interviews during 2020 here.
Listen up on the first Wednesday of every month at 12.30pm to Radio Helderberg on 93.6FM for the LIVE interviews.