Vergelegen Wine Estate has recently announced the appointment of a new winemaker. Luke O’Cuinneagain will take the reins around September this year, following in the footsteps of André van Rensburg (1998-2022) and Martin Meinert (1989-1998).
O’Cuinneagain has been winemaker at Glenelly Estate in Ida’s Valley, Stellenbosch, since 2008, and previously worked for Rustenburg Estate for five years. He also gained international experience at Château de Fieuzal and Château Angelus in Bordeaux, Caves Robert Dietrich in Alsace, and Screaming Eagle in California. O’Cuinneagain holds a BSc Agric (viticulture and oenology) Honours from Stellenbosch University and completed a course in finance from UCT Graduate School of Business.
“We are delighted to welcome Luke,” said Vergelegen MD Wayne Coetzer. “His appointment follows an extremely rigorous recruitment process undertaken by an independent panel of wine experts over several months. The initial total of 29 applicants, which included top names in the industry, was whittled down to six contenders. The entire process gave us considerable insight into the extensive pool of winemaking talent in South Africa. The industry is in good hands.”
Wayne adds: “A winemaker of the calibre of André van Rensburg leaves a vast legacy. André has entrenched the highest standards of excellence in all aspects of wine production at Vergelegen, from viticulture and cellar operations to scientific research. Fortunately, we can continue to enjoy Andre’s winemaking prowess with every vintage we uncork.”
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