Journal

I’m known as Howard Booysen, son of happily married parents and one older sibling, my sis.

I was born in the Northern suburbs in the mother city of Cape Town. (Not on a farm though…)

I’m a 27 year old bachelor who’s highly energetic with a passion for creating, living, experiencing and people. I have an appetite to explore the unknown, and work intensively to achieve my goals, which is to explore every single aspect of wine.

After school, I braved a year at sea applying myself as a deep sea trainee engineer. I must add that my sea-legs were seeking soil and roots. I found myself shortly thereafter in the hospitality industry for a few years as waiter and barman, whilst deciding where to study wine.

Off to world renowned – Elsenburg Agricultural College (Stellenbosch) I went to obtain my B .Agric degree in Cellar Technology and Viticulture. Working in tasting rooms and educating my pallet was my main aim during this three year period. After completion of my studies, the Cape Winemakers Guild – a group of 41 independent winemakers launched a protégé program. I was selected as their first apprentice to refine the art of making wine. For this period I had the unique opportunity of moving from estate to estate under various mentors. The spare time I could find, I completed extensive wine courses and became a wine judge for local and international competitions and magazines.

In attempt to amplify my oenological curiosity, myself and two of my friends devoted a year of our free weekends to present a 13 episode series – Exploring the vine. Created to inspire young and new wine drinkers, and expose the beauty and culture residing in the South African wine industry.

In addition to the above, food and wine paring was my next venture. I started at – Aubergine fine dining restaurant, and Auslese – wine function venue as sommelier during the evenings, with an award winning German chef.

Utilizing my mornings, I devote my energy by sourcing grapes all over the winelands and making my own wine in Stellenbosch.

Howard Booysen wines will launch by end 2010, with main focus on Weisser Riesling and in future Pinot noir and white blends.

Watch this space…

Cheers!

3 Responses

---

Leave Your Reply

---

Name (required): Email (required): Profession (optional): Comment:

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail