It is with heavy hearts we announced the passing of Danie Malan, fifth generation owner and winemaker of Allesverloren Wine Estate, on Wednesday, 11 September 2024. Danie, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, allegedly suffered a heart attack. He and his wife Juanita were in a shopping centre in Cape Town when he suddenly collapsed.
"With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to Danie Malan, a dear friend, respected winemaker, and owner of Allesverloren Wine Estate in the Swartland, who sadly passed away," Swartland Wine and Olive Route shared on their Facebook page. "His legacy will continue through his children and grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time."
Allesverloren Wine Estate is the oldest estate along the Swartland wine route, located in Riebeek-West. The name, Allesverloren, was registered in 1704 after the farm burnt down and although the name translates to "all is lost", the Malan-family has indeed enjoyed a happy fate. Allesverloren is still a Malan-family owned and managed winery, as it has been for just over 150 years.
Danie joined Allesverloren to hone his skills under the watchful eye of his father Fanie after graduating from Elsenburg Institute for Agricultural Training in 1987. In 1990, Danie went on to become the winemaker, and took the reins of owner from his father in 2003. Danie's red wines were his pride and joy, and he humbly attributed their success to the unique terroir of the Swartland wine region.
His career highlights included being named Diners Club Winemaker of the Year in 1998. In 2010 Danie made history as the first South African cellarmaster to receive the prestigious Golden Glass award at Sweden's long-running annual International Producer of the Year competition.
Danie is leaves behind his wife Juanita; his children, Fanie, Danielle and Jua-Mari; and his grandchildren.
Our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Memorial service for Danie Malan
A memorial service for Daniël Francois Malan, pioneering cellarmaster of Allesverloren, is to be held at the family farm in the Riebeek Valley on Saturday, 21 September.
The farm’s regular activities will be closed for the day.
Where: Allesverloren Wine Estate, R311, Riebeeck West
When: Saturday, 21 September 2024
Time: 11h00
Messages of condolences to Danie Malan's loved ones
"Rus in vrede Danie. Jy het n vol lewe gelei. Die wyn gemeenskap gaan jou mis." - Zakkie Bester
"Allesverloren was die werksplek wat ek die langste nog gewerk het. Danie was 'n streng werkgewer wat geweet het wat hy wou hê, eers het ek hom skrikwekkend gevind MAAR soos die jare aangestap het, het ek hom beter verstaan en meer respek vir hom gekry. Hy was reguit, nie doekies omgedraai nie en ek sê altyd wanneer ek vir ander van Danie vertel, wanneer hy jou warm plek toe stuur dan kan jy maar gaan hy bedoel dit en daarvan het ek baie van hom gehou. Danie jy het my geleer om in die werksopset jou man/vrou te staan jouself te staal teen ander en nie te laat onderdruk nie..." - Anchen Ludick
"Maat van vormaat n vooreg om n lewe met jou te kon deel." - Rudi Buys
"Baie groot gees met die kleinste hartjie... Rus sag!" - Riaan Mossie Carstens
"Die gemeenskappe van Riebeck Vallei verloor 'n weldoener en die wynbedryf veloor 'n grote. Soveel goeie dade in die Riebeek Vallei gemeenskap. Ek self het hom menigmaal gebel of boodskappe gestuur as iemand hulp nodig gehad het. Hy het op sy manier gehelp waar hy kan. Nog so onlangs soos laasjaar het ek hom gebel om n graf te laat grawe vir die dame wat so wreed doodgery was. Hy het dit gedoen sonder vergoeding. Oom Danie was 'n reguit mens en 'n mens het geweet waar jy met hom staan. Hy was 'n geharde boer en wynmaker. Hy het die wêreld se kennis gehad en sy handelsmerk is orals in die wêreld. Mooi loop, ou grote, tot ons eendag weer ontmoet." - Billy Claasen
"R.I.P. Danie. One of Riebeek’s icons has left the building." - Robert Brendel
"To the Malan family we hold you in our thoughts at Meerendal Wine Estate during this tough time. Oom Danie was an amazing man and always made himself available to talk to us younger generation winemakers. May his legacy live on." - Wade Roger-Lund
"I am deeply shocked to hear of the passing of Danie Malan from Allesverloren. Danie was an incredible soul, with a sense of humour like few others. My thoughts are with Juanita, Fanie, and Danielle during this difficult time." - Peter Pentz
"Aaaa nee... Dankie dat jy my leer rooiwyn drink het en olywe eet het al die jare terug xx sterkte aan Juanita en familie." - Liesl Snyman
"Larger than life, allways available to find a solution, we still cant believe he is gone. Jaunita our heartfelt condolence." - Derek and Susan van der Riet
"Baie hartseer nuus, groot wyn legende wat altyd onthou sal word! Rus sag." - Elunda Basson
Should anyone wish to share their messages of condolences, please send them to editor@wine.co.za and we will add to this tribute.