It is with profound sadness that the Institute of Cape Wine Masters shares the passing of our esteemed member and dear friend, Dr Andy Roediger, who passed away on 15 January 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Andy was far more than a Cape Wine Master. He was a teacher, a thinker, a generous mentor, and above all, a man whose passion for wine was matched only by his passion for sharing it with others. His curiosity, warmth, and enthusiasm left an indelible mark on the South African wine industry and on all who had the privilege of crossing his path.
Andy’s journey into formal wine studies began, fittingly, as an act of support and love for his daughter, who asked him to join her in attending the Diploma Wine Course at the Cape Wine Academy. What started as encouragement soon became a calling. Andy went on to complete the Certificate and Diplomas 1 and 2, and in doing so, became the catalyst for something much greater. When others spoke of starting a tasting group, Andy quietly took the initiative – and soon, his regular international wine tastings became legendary. Through these tastings, friendships were forged, palates were shaped, and horizons were broadened.
A scientist by training and instinct, Andy brought exceptional rigour and insight to the world of wine. As head of an analytical laboratory at the University of Stellenbosch, and later through Roediger Agencies, he combined his deep expertise as a polymer scientist with his growing influence in wine analysis and research. His Cape Wine Master thesis, “Phenolic Ripeness in South Africa,” established him as a leading authority in the field. During harvest, many of the Cape’s top producers relied on Andy’s phenolic ripeness analyses – trusting his precision, judgement, and integrity.
Andy’s love of wine was not confined to theory or analysis. In 2003, he began producing wine under the Boschheim label, crafting both red and white wines in a boutique, gravity-fed winery, producing over 10 000 bottles – a tangible expression of his belief that science and soul belong together in wine.
His contribution extended further through his long-standing involvement in wine judging, including the SA Young Wine Show, Veritas, Michelangelo Awards, and many years as chairperson of Shiraz SA judging. In every role, Andy was respected for his fairness, depth of knowledge, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Andy also loved to travel, and wherever his professional life took him, a wine region was never far away. He returned from these journeys not only with bottles to share, but with stories, insights, and a renewed desire to bring the global wine world closer to home.
The ICWM community, and the wine industry at large, mourns his loss deeply. Yet Andy’s legacy lives on – in the tastings he initiated, the knowledge he shared so freely, the wines he made, the judges he guided, and the countless conversations where his passion ignited curiosity in others.
We will miss his presence, his intellect, and his generosity of spirit. But we will continue to honour him in the most fitting way possible: by sharing great wines, asking better questions, mentoring generously, and nurturing the passion for wine that Andy embodied so completely.
Our heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by his remarkable life.
Rest in peace, Andy. Your legacy endures.
