Mitchell, Andy (deceased, 1954 – 2014)

Year Qualified: 2007

Andy and his wife Vikki had a sail manufacturing business in Cape Town which exported sails to eight different countries and they were also the official sail manufacturer for Shosholoza, the South African America’s Cup Team entry.

Andy was a garagiste producer since 2003 when they built a new home, including a micro-cellar in Greyton. Since then they have produced a Syrah every year with grapes bought in from the Helderberg and a Rosé from Shiraz.

In 1999, they both started studying at the CWA and completed the Diploma course in 2001. Andy continued with his CWM studies in 2002 and graduated in 2007. His dissertation topic was “Wood alternatives – a substitute for barrels, or merely an economical flavourant?

Between making wine and sail making, Andy spendt a lot of time sailing with clients on racing and cruising yachts as well as participating in regattas. Annual holidays were spent travelling to wine producing countries around the world, with his area of special interest being the Rhône Valley in France. On retirement, they expanded their winemaking activities.

Andy was diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer in January 2014 and sadly passed away in June 2014.

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Dissertation Topic

Wood alternatives: a substitute for barrels, or merely an economical flavourant?