Dave Hughes is an author of books on drink and allied subjects. He is a distiller, wine maker, wine auctioneer, international wine and spirit judge, and founder of the Cape Wine Academy and is often called upon to bless events with his inimitable funny verse.
Dave was born on 12 June 1938 in Gatoomadistrict, then Rhodesia, and was educated at Umtali High School there. He served an apprenticeship as a distiller at African Distillers in 1956 and filled several positions before moving to South Africa in 1986. Operations manager SFW (Stellenbosch Farmers Winery, now Distell) Transvaal, General manager SFW Natal, Winery Manager SFW Stellenbosch, Marketing Manager Consumer Relations SFW until 1989. Independent and Freelance since 1989.
Dave founded the Cape Wine Academy in 1979 and appointed Phyllis Hands as the first principal. He has been involved with the Nederburg Auction since its inception in 1974 and is still a consultant to them. He has consulted (and continues to do so) to the National Veritas Competition, South African Airways Wine Selections and to the International Wine and Spirit Competition in Britain.
He was married to Lorna (nee Roos) and they lived on Stonehill Wine farm in the Devon Valley.
Memberships and honours
- American Society of Enologista, Society of Wine Educators, International Wine and Spirit Journalists
- Life Member of the International Wine and Food Society Invited in 2001 to join Worshipful Company of Distillers. The first non-resident of Britain to be given this honour since the guild was formed in 1638 to control and protect the production of spirits in the city of London.
- Freeman of the City of London, 2002
- Keeper of the Quaich, 2003 (A Scotch Whisky Association to honour those who have contributed to the Scotch Whisky Industry)
- 2011: Wine legend, wine writer and wine ambassador Dave Hughes has been honoured by the South African Port Producers' Association (SAPPA) for his contribution to building the image of Port in South Africa and internationally.
Books written
- Living with wine
- 300 Great South African Wines
- South African Wine Buyers Guide (9 editions)
- Winelands of the Cape
- Visiting Wine Routes
- Enjoy Wine (Co-author: Dave Biggs), 1990
- The Complete Book of South African Wine (Co authors: Phyllis Hands and John Kench), Struik Publishers, 1992
- Hughes on Booze, 1997
- Wines and Brandies of the Cape of Good Hope (Co author: Phyllis Hands), Stephan Phillips, 1998
- 200 Best Value Wines in South Africa, 2001
- New World Of Wine From The Cape Of Good Hope: The Definitive Guide To The South African Wine Industry (Co- authors: Phyllis Hands and Keith Phillips), Roundhouse Publishing, 2002
- Brandies of the Cape, 2004
- A Dictionary of South African Wine, 2004
- Contributor to John Platter's South African Wine Guide since 1996
David Louis Hughes, South African wine icon, died peacefully in Stellenbosch on Monday, February 6, 2023 at the age of 84.