Wednesday, 12 August, 2020
SASA
Growing up in the Free State, Jo was first introduced to the world of wine by his father, an avid collector. His sister would go on to become a winemaker and while he set out to pursue a career in economics, a future in wine proved inevitable.
His journey with wine began by working in the tasting rooms of estates in the Stellenbosch Winelands. The first engagement with sommellerie was at Rust en Vrede Restaurant between 2008 and 2013, where he worked with the likes of Neil Grant and Joakim Hansi Blackadder. He then spent two years on the open seas as a sommelier for cruise lines such as the exclusive Seabourn before enrolling at the Geisenheim University in Germany, where he studies International Wine Business. From here, he worked as sommellerie in both the ENTE and OPUS V restaurants, respectively boasting with one and two Michelin Stars.
The accumulation of knowledge and experience enabled Jo to partake in many competitions, both locally and internationally. He won the SASA Moët & Chandon Best Sommelier of South Africa award in 2018. In the same year, he won a number of competitions in Germany, including the Meiningers Best Young Sommelier and the German Wine Institute’s Sommelier Cup. He was also awarded the Rolling Pin Magazine’s Sommelier of the Year endorsement.
As the South African candidate at the ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2019 competition, Jo ranked among the top 25 of candidates globally. He aims to draw on this exposure as he prepares to represent South Africa at the ASI Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa 2020, to be held in Cyprus in November.