Wine Education: CWA – 1980-1983, Cape Wine & Spirit Education Trust 1984
Bennie was amongst one of the first groups to write the exams and qualify as a Cape Wine Master, in 1983. The title of his research project was “The influence of the family business in the SA Wine Industry – wholesale/cooperative/estate”.
Wine Activities: Public Relations, Promotions, Marketing, Judging.
Memberships: Time Wasters / SASEV
Industry activities: SA National Wine Show, Cape Wine Academy, Cape Wine & Sprit Education Trust, Wine & Spirit Board, Stellenbosch Wine Route.
Interests: California, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Alsace. Pinotage, Cabernet, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Magnum collection.
Other: Travel, hiking, gardening, food & wine.
Resume: After a career as a broadcaster, Bennie started the SFW Wine Plan in Port Elizabeth with 12 wine advisors in 1979. He then took over at SFW Head Office Public Relations and Group Corporate Affairs in Stellenbosch in 1989, responsible for the management of the Nederburg Auction from 1989 to 2005. Bennie also organised the OIV World Conference in Cape Town in 1996, and travelled to the USA, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand.
He is the current public relations officer for Meerendal Estate in Durbanville.
