“I think a sense of place is very important when it comes to winemaking. I think we have gone past being a regional-based or estate-based industry. It’s really drilled down into single vineyards and then channeling them through into the cellar.”
JD graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2007 with a BSc in viticulture and oenology degree. He worked at Beyerskloof, Graham Beck Wines as well as at Stonestreet Winery in Sonoma County in California, US, before being appointed as winemaker at Steenberg Vineyards in 2009.
He was then promoted to cellarmaster in 2012 until April 2019, when he joined Warwick as cellarmaster. He has received numerous awards over the years.