Warwick Estate is a high-end South African winery in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa with a rich farming history dating back to 1771.
We chat to National Brand Manager, Spencer Fondaumiere, a certified wine judge who graduated through the Michael Fridjhon Wine Academy where he successfully passed the WSET Level 3 certification in 2016, but he is also one of only five hundred individuals who passed the challenging exam to become an Associationde la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) certified sommelier.
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About Spencer Fondaumiere – Warwick Estate National Brand Manager
Spencer Fondaumiere is not only a certified wine judge who graduated through the Michael Fridjhon Wine Academy where he successfully passed the WSET Level 3 certification in 2016, but he is also one of only five hundred individuals who passed the challenging exam to become an Associationde la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) certified sommelier.
Spencer is a qualified chef with years in the hospitality industry. His diverse skills and experience led him to eventually join the Warwick team as the National Brand Manager in 2018, where he ensures that the unique vision behind the wine is communicated to the world in a creative and authentic way. Spencer’s qualifications might sound technical, but his mission remains to inspire people to “Just enjoy what’s in the glass in front of you, forget all the pretences and grandeur and enjoy the wine and the moment for what it is.” Find Spencer LinkedIn
When asked what he wishes for the future of wine in South africa, Spencer said:
I wish for South Africans to wake up and realise the gems we are producing and to appreciate that it is not like anything else in the world. Appreciate, revere, take pride in it, invest in it, spend money on it and most of all, drink it. We should be on the map, we deserve to be on the map, and we will never get there waiting for other people to be proud of us.”
About Warwick Estate
Firstly a fruit farm, until Stan and Norma Ratcliffe bought the estate in 1964 and started developing the land with an extensive focus on the classic Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon – Warwick emerged on the forefront of South Africa’s wine scene.
Through determination and commitment, Norma Ratcliffe became one of the Cape’s first female winemakers – and one of its most illustrious wine personalities, whose legacy is immortalised in the Warwick “First Lady” range.
The first wine under the Warwick label was released in 1984, then named “La Femme Bleu” – “Blue Lady” as it is known today. Two years later, in 1986, the Warwick Trilogy – a three varietal Bordeaux-style blend – was released and has since been recognised as a truly iconic wine, with multiple vintages adorning some of the greatest wine lists in the world. Throughout the years, Warwick’s wines have won many awards, firmly establishing the brand as a South African icon.”
The ultimate wedding gift – The legend of the Warwick Wedding Cup
A romantic story about Princess Kunigunde from old Nuremberg who fell in love with a young, handsome and ambitious Silversmith from a . Although Kunigunde’s father did not approve of their love, and imprisoned the Silversmith. The King told his lovesick and distraught daughter, “If your Silversmith can make a chalice from which two people can drink at the same time without spilling one single drop, I will free him and you shall become his bride”. The Challenge was met and their hands were joined in marriage. To this day and to many couples the chalice remains a symbol of their love. Happiness and good fortune await the couple who drink from this cup. Read More here
WELCOME TO WARWICK WINE ESTATE – On the forefront of the South Africa’s wine scene
Meet the other members of the Warwick Wine Team
Cellarmaster – JD Pretorius
JD (Johannes Diederick) has become well-known for his passionate dedication to all aspects of the winemaking process. In 2007, JD completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch. JD worked as cellar hand at Beyerskloof Wines, harvest supervisor at Graham Beck Wines, and Sonoma Valley of California. JD worked alongside John Loubser, the Cellar Master of Steenberg Wines, who invited him to join the team as a winemaker. In early 2019, JD joined the Warwick team to head up the vineyard and to translate the wonderful terroir of Warwick Wine estate into bottled wine for the world to enjoy and connect over.
CEO – Christiane Von Arnim
Christiane grew up in the Rhine River Valley amid the wine regions of Pfalz in Germany and Alsace in the neighbouring France. She developed a natural attraction to the world of wine from an early age. Having studied Business Science at the University of Cape Town, followed by an MBA at the University of Stellenbosch. Christiane joined Warwick as CEO in October 2018. As Warwick’s CEO, Christiane’s primary responsibility is to ensure that all moving parts of the company are aligned towards strategic goals.
Global Sales & Marketing Manager – Tom Orpen
Tom grew up on a small wine farm in Stellenbosch. He cut his teeth in the wine industry while working in the United Kingdom for four years with Majestic Wines, attaining his WSET Advanced Level 3 certificate, as well as a wealth of global wine knowledge. Once he had enough of the UK weather, he moved back to South Africa and headed up the sales for both Jordan Winery and Vergelegen Wine Estate for eight years. Now in charge of the sales and marketing, Tom has been tasked with ensuring the continuity of the brand, and it’s exciting evolution from a South African leader into a competitive global brand.
Follow Warwick Wine Estate on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
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LISTEN BELOW – Zelda Coetzee, Conference and Event Specialist, gives insight into conference and event planning in the Cape Winelands
