The passing of a friend
Tuesday, 25 May, 2004
Arnold Kirkby
He was an integral part of the team, advising on viticulture, winemaking and marketing
A wine consultant and friend of South Africa, Bernhard Breuer, 57, died suddenly in Germany late last week.
Mr Breuer, who was a prime mover in the drive to improve the quality and image of Weisser Riesling throughout the world, consulted with his partner, Bernd Phillipi, for Advocate Stephen du Toit of Mont du Toit Vineyards in Wellington.
The cause of his death is not yet known, said Advocate du Toit, but added that he was an integral part of the team, advising on viticulture, winemaking and marketing, travelling to the Cape several times a year. He and Bernd Phillipi had consulted to red wine specialist Mont du Toit since it was converted from a mixed fruit and wine farm in 1997, helping to establish two of its Mont du Toit and Le Sommet blends as blockbusters, each being awarded 4½ stars by John Platter.
'His death came as a shock to us on Thursday as he was an extremely healthy man who ran five to eight kilometres almost every day and was careful about what he ate,' said Adv du Toit.
Mr Breuer and his brother Heinrich owned Weingut Georg Breuer, and a hotel in Rüdesheim in the Rhine Valley.