Conrad obtained a B.Com degree at the University of Stellenbosch and became an exchange student with AIESEC. Having worked in the UK, his love for travel, exploring the world and adventure was ignited. He combined adventures such as climbing Kilimanjaro (twice), crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a yacht and backpacking through the Amazon Jungle (to name just a few) with a career in the pharmaceutical industry, resulting in numerous business-related travels across the globe.
It was during these travels when his interest in wine started to develop, due to the opportunities to taste wines from many different countries. Accepting that he did not know much about wine, he enrolled for a basic course at the Cape Wine Academy in order to understand why the same grape variety, from different regions, can taste so diverse. This is “where the hobby went wrong” and he soon developed a deep passion for wine, especially the styles that used to be “unpalatable” to him. He wrote his dissertation on the fortified wine styles of Sherry, which used to fall in the latter category of “unpalatable” wines, but by then it had become one of his favourite categories. His favourite wines are undoubtedly those from Tuscany, and an exceptionally good Cabernet Sauvignon!
Conrad is still involved with the Cape Wine Academy through lecturing, examining students, and mentoring several Cape Wine Master students.
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