An English boy for Laborie
2005-10-13
ASK the labourers of Laborie, and they will tell you the wine estate has a new farm manager, “’n Engelse boy”.
Dave Boyes not only takes care of the vines on the KWV’s prestigious estate on the slopes of the Paarl Mountain, he is also the winemaker.
For the next two years most of the Laborie wines will be made on KWV’s premises in Cecelia Street, while Laborie’s cellar is being upgraded.
Dave (27) very much resembles an English gentleman, but he speaks Afrikaans fluently and does not shy away from having the sun on his neck.
He is proud to show off his vineyards, and fondles the vines that have been producing award-winning wines, and will continue to do so for him.
A product of Rondebosch Boys’ High, Dave went on to study at Stellenbosch University.
He laboured at Simonsig for a year, Tokara for another year and worked in the cellar at Bellingham for two years.
In between he gained experience working on overseas wine estates, with both red and white wines in the Sonoma Valley in California, reds in Burgundy in France and Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay in Malborough, New Zealand.
Dave joined the team at Laborie in January, but has only now been permanently appointed as farm manager/winemaker.
Like his predecessor, Gideon Theron, his affinity lies with Sauvignon Blanc.
“At the KWV artificial flavouring of wines is not in,” says the outspoken young man, “but there could certainly be a market for flavoured wines...”
Sorry ladies, Dave lives in Durbanville and has a steady girlfriend. She is also a farm girl, one with citrus orchards.
“And no, I will not be tempted to flavour the wines with oranges,” he smiles with the charm befitting a handsome (English) winemaker.
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