Nicolas Charles Krone
Monday, 24 June, 2013
House of Krone
Nicolas Charles Krone another one of the first true pioneers in the South African wine industry.
A prodigy of his era, he studied agriculture and winemaking at Stellenbosch University from 1937 to 1939 and travelled and worked extensively through Europe’s wine making regions. In the 1950’s, NC Krone’s vision led to the introduction of the cold fermentation process at Twee Jonge Gezellen, which was a first in the wine industry and this resulted in a giant leap in the practice of making quality wines in a warmer climate. At that time wine merchants were used to white wines that were amber coloured, and were very reluctant to accept the new clearer wines, however when NC Krone wine’s won 1st prize for 12 of the 13 categories at the South African Champion Wine show in 1959, everyone sat up and took notice.
Cold fermentation so revolutionised the way wine was made, that today it is considered standard practice throughout the world. Winemakers and experts from all over the world came to study under NC Krone and learn about cold fermentation – the most notable of these include Dr. Bryce Rankine (world famous wine textbook author from Australia) and Robert Mondavi (world famous American vineyard operator of the Napa Valley in California).
For his vision and services to the international wine industry, NC Krone was awarded the prestigious title of Commandeur D’Honneur (Honorary Commander) at a special ceremony in France in 1971 by the Grand-Maitre de L’Ordre du Bontemps. At the time the only other South African to be honoured in this way was Dr. Christiaan Barnard, who performed the first heart transplant in the world.
N.C. Krone had a gentle strength, a great wit with a dry sense of humour, and his wisdom was highly sought after. He was beloved by many, respected by all (locally and internationally) and a “Legend in his Lifetime”.
In 1945 he married his loving companion and friend, Verònique de la Marque. They were together for 62 years. Her family name is de la Marque, therefore in honour of both of them, we decided to call our Prestige Cuvée MCC Sparkling Wine,
the “Nicolas Charles Krone - Marque 1”.