Charl Coetzee is the cellar master at Babylonstoren, one of the oldest farms in South Africa, set in the Franschhoek wine valley. Charl studied Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University before starting his career at Kaapzicht Wine Estate. He was soon recruited to head up the Babylonstoren cellar, at that point still in its early days, and now also oversees the olive oil press, water, juice and digital departments.

The best advice I ever got

Is that you should always manage your boss.

My life motto

Happiness is not a destination – it is a way of travelling.

I am currently reading

The Power of the Sword by Wilbur Smith.

My most played music track

Walking on Water by NeedtoBreathe.

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

A cattle farmer in the Kalahari in Namibia.

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

Playing the guitar.

My favourite kind of exercise

Trail running or mountain biking.

I relax while

I am driving in one of my favourite cars (a 1972 series 3 Land Rover, my 1996 Pajero or 2003 Land Cruiser) on a long open road.

I collect

Unique t-shirts.

My essential newspaper/magazine

I enjoy a good travel magazine that shares must-see adventures from around the world. My favourites are Getaway or Go! magazines, both local that share everything you need to know about travel. When I travel  abroad, I mostly read Time magazine.

My desert-island wine

Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage.

I have learnt a lot from

My wife – and still do!

My last meal and sip will be

Spaghetti Bolognese with a bottle of Babylonstoren Shiraz.

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