Danie de Wet and His Influence on the South African Wine Industry

Abstract

This is the third in a series highlighting the influence an individual can have on the South African Wine Industry. De Wet decided that the Plant Control Board's bureaucracy should be breached because he felt it was doing more harm than good to the wine industry. As a fifth generation Afrikaner he grew up steeped in wine farming and away from town life. His total dedication was strongly reinforced by his experience and graduation at Geisenheim Research Institute during the South African Sanction Years. Following this experienced Mid‐European viticulturists guided him philosophically and practically in leadership of the industry and into the noble white grape cultivars. Mistakes were made but determination and veracity brought world recognition and success to Danie de Wet and, through him, to the whole SA wine industry.