Sue became a Cape Wine Master in 1989, after writing a research project on “Pinotage”, South Africa’s only homebred variety.
She has judged for the annual South African National Young Wine Show, Veritas, Michelangelo International Wine Awards and ABSA Top Ten.
She is a member of the international jury at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, as well as competitions in Slovenia, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Argentina. Sue is a freelance wine writer with monthly features in the Wineland magazine.
She has also been a regular guest on Cape Talk and Punt Gesels Radio, on all matters wine and travel.
Other activities include contribution of wine news articles to www.winenews.co.za, South African correspondent for on-line drinks magazine www.just-drinks.com, correspondent for www.worldwinenews.com, wine consultant for House and Leisure magazine, South African correspondent for Perswijn (the influential Dutch Wine Magazine) and editor (and sole contributor) of Diners Club Wine Society’s monthly newsletter.
Sue is a committee member & South African representative of FIJEV (International Federation of Wine Writers) and the founder of South African Wine Writers Association in 199.
She was the Public Relations Officer for The Pinotage Association of South Africa in 1997 & 1998. Sue presented lectures/tastings on the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth 2 in December 2000 from Cape Town to Southampton. She was a member of the screening panel for South African Airways wine lists for a number of years and is a consultant to a number of SA’s top estates, which includes writing promotional material. She has been on the tasting panel of The Oaks Wine Club for over 10 years.
She is consultant to restaurants and hotels wishing to upgrade their wine lists. Sue was a senior lecturer at the CWA from 1987-1996, and senior examiner and course co-coordinator from 1988-1996. Sue made her own wine (Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon) at Buitenverwachting in 1999.
Her other interests include travel, wine and food with a special interest in olives and olive oils. She has visited the wine areas of France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, New Zealand, West Australia, South Australia, Slovenia and Spain. Sue holds a BSc (with Teachers Diploma), from Stellenbosch University.