Geoff completed a BA Hons Geography and Archeology in Ireland and a MA in Geography in Canada. He has lectured in Geography, at James Cook University (Townsville, Australia) and then lectured in Environmental Sciences at the University of Natal (Durban) for 20 years, where he served as Assistant Dean for Social Sciences.
He is now retired from the University and manages the Natal branch of the Cape Wine Academy. Geoff’s interest in wine was born in Australia.
He started wine studies in South Africa through the Cape Wine Academy in 1985 and together with his wife, Annalise, completed the Diploma in 1989. He received the title of Cape Wine Master in 1995. His research project was “A comparison of Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand and South Africa”.
He reports that the research trip to New Zealand was extremely cold. Annalise and Geoff has traveled to most of the world’s wine areas, including Cyprus, Israel and the Czech Republic.
Aside from his wine travels, Geoff and Annalise have traveled extensively in Asia, to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Laos. Other interests include bird watching, cycling and fine dining. Geoff enjoys creative cooking.
Geoff sadly passed away in February 2021.