Bennie Howard was among the first group to write the exams and qualify as a Cape Wine Master in 1983. The title of his research project was “The influence of the family business in the SA Wine Industry – wholesale/cooperative/estate”. Bennie wrote his exams alongside the late Tony Mossop and Duimpie Bayly.
After a career as an SABC broadcaster, Bennie started the Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery (SFW) Wine Plan in Port Elizabeth with 12 wine advisors in 1979. He then took over the head office of SFW’s Public Relations and Group Corporate Affairs in Stellenbosch in 1989, responsible for the management of the Nederburg Auction from 1989 to 2005. Bennie also organised the OIV World Conference in Cape Town in 1996, and travelled to the USA, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand.
Bennie is also the vice chairman of Veritas, the longest running and biggest wine and spirits competition in South Africa.
Currently he is the public relations officer for Meerendal Estate in Durbanville, using his passion for wine education for the Meerendal Wine Academy.