"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our viticulturist and farm manager, Danie van Zyl," Alto Estate shared on social media on Friday, 13 September 2024.
"Danie has been an integral part of the Alto family for over 20 years. He was the cornerstone of our team, whose dedication, expertise, and passion for viticulture were unmatched. His unwavering commitment to Alto and love for the vineyards made a significant impact on everyone who had the privilege of working with him.
Danie’s legacy will endure in the vineyards he tended with such care, and as we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the remarkable contributions he made to our farm and our terroir.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and all who had the honour of knowing him."
The wine.co.za is devastated by the news, and our thoughts are with Danie's family, friends and the Alto team.
Messages of sympathy to Danie van Zyl's family and friends
"RIP, Danie. Jou nederigheid en ondeunde glimlag en jou passie vir Alto, sy werkers en liefde vir 'n wingerdstok sal vir altyd by ons bly." - Philip Kriel
"Danie ons sal jou mis, die stop vir n geselsie en ook die bereidwilligheid om hier en daar 'n hand te gee. Ek glo jou legende sal aan bly op Alto! Sterkte aan almal." - Gunter Henke
" 'n Groot boom het geval. Gaan jou mis neef." - Pieter Skein
"Immer gewillig om te help. Vriendelikheid onvoorwaardelik. Boerehart, mensehart. Nooit gediskrimineer teenoor engiemand. Sy werksplig het geen tydsbeperking gehad. Sy voorbeeld aan sy kinders en vriende was ongeskonde. Gaan jou mis my buurman. Sal die vuil 'koffie' op die stoep waar ek as kind groot geword het vir ewig mis. Jou skalkse laggie en ondeundheid was aansteeklik. Alto sal nie dieselfde wees sonder jou nie. Rus sag my maat." - Hempies du Toit
"Sal vir Danie altyd onthou... Hy was 'n goeie siel met 'n hart van goud!" - Jacolize Moore
"Groot gees en altyd tyd gehad vir geselsie. Danie ek weet jou Skepper het klaar jou aan die werk gesit. Jy was besondere mens, lief vir jou medewens en kinders. Rus in vrede." - Rudi Oosthuizen
"My sincere condolences to family and friends on the passing of Danie van Zyl. Rest in peace Danie." - Ambrence Moore
"Rus in vrede, Danie. Geen woorde kan dit beter maak nie. Jy sal altyd gemis wees." - Amanda Boonzaaier
"Dierbare sagte mens. Sjoe my voete is onder my uit! Danie rus in vrede my vriend! Jou glimlag bly en vriendelike gebaar bly verewig by my!" - Michelle de Weerdt
"Our deepest condolences to the Alto team and Danie’s friends and family. The Helderberg lost a true gem. Wishing you all strength during this difficult time." - Ernie Els Wines
Should anyone wish to share their messages of condolences, please send them to editor@wine.co.za and we will add to this tribute.