About me
"Wine improves with age. The older I get,
the better I like it."
- Anonymous
STORY TELLER
I've had an interesting life. I grew up close to the beach, but Stellenbosch University provided me with both a degree and an appreciation for the wine of South Africa. After varsity, I mostly had a blast. I travelled to 40 or so countries and worked in 4 of them. I’ve been a lecturer in the USA, an accountant in London, a factory worker in Israel and a ski instructor in Austria.
I’ve tasted wine in Spain, Portugal, France, Greece, Australia, Argentina, Chile and the United States. I’ve swirled Pinot Noir in Pennsylvania, dueled with a Malbec in Mendoza and confronted a Merlot in Margaret River.
I've dived in Cairns, skydived in Nelson, bungied in Queenstown. I've salsa'd in Buenos, had a huka in Philadelphia, climbed a mountain in Peru.
In the end, all roads lead to Home. It turns out South Africa has the best of it all, including amazing scenery and super friendly people. In one day, you can go for a cycle ride and bump into a troop of babboons, spot a whale and then have an awesome Sauvignon Blanc with a cheese platter on a wine farm with a view. Welcome to my life!
Hop on the Happy Hippo bus and let’s cruise round some of my favourite wine farms and sights. You drink I drive as we discuss the influence of the French on Afrikaans culture, check out why a Pinotage rocks and explore why it’s important to swirl a Cab anti-clockwise.
Along the way, we can chat about anything under the sun, although I won't tolerate anyone badmouthing Nelson Mandela or Arnold Schwarzenegger. I tell a mean joke, I know my wines, I have a strong handle on the economic, politicial, spiritual and existential state of the nation and I can even do some of that in Spanish.
I also do trips to the Peninsula, the townships, Hermanus and the West Coast. In fact, I'll do whatever you want me to do, except listen to Regatton music. That I won't do...
Welcome to my life!
THE FACTS:
- Day tours
- I take a maximum of 9 people
- Focus on fun. By lunch, we’re all best friends and Facebook buddies.
