Abrie Beeslaar is the chief winemaker at Kanonkop in Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s most famous and historic estates. While Beeslaar initially wanted to study medicine, he ended up studying oenology and viticulture instead. At his second job, Beeslaar had a fateful encounter with Beyers Truter, then chief winemaker at Kanonkop. The two hit it off and Beeslaar joined Truter in 2002 and took over as chief winemaker in 2003 – before he was even 30 years old. He has since won IWSC’s International Winemaker of the Year award three times: in 2008, 2015 and 2017.

The best advice I ever got

Just work harder than the rest. My father told me that.

My life motto

Be honest, be loving, be humble.

My most played music track

Probably anything by ACDC.

If I didn’t do my current job I would be

I'd love to be a chef.

Skill I don’t currently possess but would like to have 

Playing golf.

My favourite kind of exercise

Crossfit.

I relax while

Going to the beach, diving, hunting.

I collect

Nothing.

My essential newspaper/magazine

My local paper, Die Burger

My desert-island wine

Anythign from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti

I have learnt a lot from

Beyers Truter, my predecessor.

My last meal and sip will be

Barbecued lamb chops and a glass of Kanonkop Pinotage.