The history of Laborie
SINCE 1691
In 1691, the Farm Laborie was granted to French Huguenot Isaac Taillefert. Already the owner of the neighbouring Picardie, Taillefert placed Laborie in his son Jean’s name. Together, they set about clearing the bush and planting vines, and within seven years, were producing drinkable wine. It was the opinion of a Frenchman, Leguat, who visited the Cape in 1698, that their wine was “the best in the colony and similar to our small wines of Champagne”.
With their knowledge of French viticultural techniques, the Taillefert family laid a solid foundation of vineyards and outstanding wine production evident, over three hundred years later, in Laborie’s wines of distinction.
In 1691, the Farm Laborie was granted to French Huguenot Isaac Taillefert. Already the owner of the neighbouring Picardie, Taillefert placed Laborie in his son Jean’s name. Together, they set about clearing the bush and planting vines, and within seven years, were producing drinkable wine. It was the opinion of a Frenchman, Leguat, who visited the Cape in 1698, that their wine was “the best in the colony and similar to our small wines of Champagne”.
With their knowledge of French viticultural techniques, the Taillefert family laid a solid foundation of vineyards and outstanding wine production evident, over three hundred years later, in Laborie’s wines of distinction.
OUR WINEMAKING TEAM
Kobus Van der Merwe
WINEMAKER
Laborie winemaker Kobus van der Merwe grew up on a vineyard and fruit farm, which ignited his passion for winemaking from a young age. Helping his dad out on the farm transporting grapes to the local winery, he found the winemaking process fascinating and would bombard his dad with questions.
He is truly passionate about winemaking and believes you are working with a living organism that must be treated with the utmost care and respect to achieve the perfect result. Being part of the KWV winemaking team, he feels every day is a learning experience. He is surrounded by a hardworking team with a wealth of knowledge, expertise and passion for the art of winemaking. Kobus regards this experience as helping him reach one of his primary goals, making a positive contribution to the wine industry.
Marco Ventrella
VITICULTURIST
Marco joined KWV in November 2010 as Chief Viticulturist. He lives for the challenges and mysteries of winemaking in the vineyards
“It is like playing seven chess games at the same time”.
The relationship and interaction between geology, soil, climate, topography, cultivar, rootstock, and practice constantly change and shift.
“Every move on every board affects every other board, but you can’t predict with certainty how,” he says. “I love the time spent in the vineyards of the beautiful Western Cape playing the game and getting it right in the glass.”
Sacha Muller
WHITE WINE MAKER
Illustrating a great respect for the wine grape and with a believe that wine should be allowed to fully reflect its terroir, Sacha joined KWV’s acclaimed cellar team in 2016 where she is currently active as winemaker in the white wine cellar.
Sacha studied Viticulture and Oenology at Elsenberg Agricultural Training Institute in Stellenbosch. After the completion of her studies, she was selected as part of a small group of winemakers and viticulturists to join the prestigious Cape Winemaker Guild’s Protégé Programme. The programme gives aspirant winemakers the rare opportunity of working side by side with members of the Cape Winemakers Guild during a three-year internship.
This exceptional opportunity to be mentored by local and international winemakers gave Sacha her undeniable winemaking edge. As winemaker she manages to achieve a fine balance between being a winemaker and wine guide who allows grapes to fully express their sense of place – a vital distinction at KWV where grapes are sourced from various producers and wine regions.
For this young winemaker, bottling a quality product is key and an objective she achieves with a diverse portfolio of award-winning white wines as testament to the fact.
Oursula Lenee
ASSISTANT VITICULTURIST AT KWV
Oursula Lenee joined the KWV ranks in December 2016 as Assistant Viticulturist, but this self-proclaimed proud pioneer had her sights on the company since her student days at Stellenbosch University.
Studying towards a degree in BSc Viticulture and Oenology, Lenee worked at KWV’s Wine Emporium as a tasting assistant, and a tour leader. It was here where her confidence in, and passion for, wine manifested and a career in wine became a non-negotiable. Lenee began her career at Distell’s Viticulture Department, a contract position which was followed by a stint in whisky-making at the James Sedgwick distillery in Wellington.
Lenee’s passion for the vines resulted in a full-circle career move to KWV’s viticultural team, a position which suits her like a glove.
“Knowing that my office is the vineyard is reason enough to be excited every morning, it is a privilege to work with KWV’s dynamic team of viticulturists and winemakers.”
OUR WINEMAKING TEAM
Kobus Van der Merwe
WINEMAKER
Laborie winemaker Kobus van der Merwe grew up on a vineyard and fruit farm, which ignited his passion for winemaking from a young age. Helping his dad out on the farm transporting grapes to the local winery, he found the winemaking process fascinating and would bombard his dad with questions.
He is truly passionate about winemaking and believes you are working with a living organism that must be treated with the utmost care and respect to achieve the perfect result. Being part of the KWV winemaking team, he feels every day is a learning experience. He is surrounded by a hardworking team with a wealth of knowledge, expertise and passion for the art of winemaking. Kobus regards this experience as helping him reach one of his primary goals, making a positive contribution to the wine industry.
Marco Ventrella
VITICULTURIST
Marco joined KWV in November 2010 as Chief Viticulturist. He lives for the challenges and mysteries of winemaking in the vineyards
“It is like playing seven chess games at the same time”.
The relationship and interaction between geology, soil, climate, topography, cultivar, rootstock, and practice constantly change and shift.
“Every move on every board affects every other board, but you can’t predict with certainty how,” he says. “I love the time spent in the vineyards of the beautiful Western Cape playing the game and getting it right in the glass.”
Sacha Muller
WHITE WINE MAKER
Illustrating a great respect for the wine grape and with a believe that wine should be allowed to fully reflect its terroir, Sacha joined KWV’s acclaimed cellar team in 2016 where she is currently active as winemaker in the white wine cellar.
Sacha studied Viticulture and Oenology at Elsenberg Agricultural Training Institute in Stellenbosch. After the completion of her studies, she was selected as part of a small group of winemakers and viticulturists to join the prestigious Cape Winemaker Guild’s Protégé Programme. The programme gives aspirant winemakers the rare opportunity of working side by side with members of the Cape Winemakers Guild during a three-year internship.
This exceptional opportunity to be mentored by local and international winemakers gave Sacha her undeniable winemaking edge. As winemaker she manages to achieve a fine balance between being a winemaker and wine guide who allows grapes to fully express their sense of place – a vital distinction at KWV where grapes are sourced from various producers and wine regions.
For this young winemaker, bottling a quality product is key and an objective she achieves with a diverse portfolio of award-winning white wines as testament to the fact.
Oursula Lenee
ASSISTANT VITICULTURIST AT KWV
Oursula Lenee joined the KWV ranks in December 2016 as Assistant Viticulturist, but this self-proclaimed proud pioneer had her sights on the company since her student days at Stellenbosch University.
Studying towards a degree in BSc Viticulture and Oenology, Lenee worked at KWV’s Wine Emporium as a tasting assistant, and a tour leader. It was here where her confidence in, and passion for, wine manifested and a career in wine became a non-negotiable. Lenee began her career at Distell’s Viticulture Department, a contract position which was followed by a stint in whisky-making at the James Sedgwick distillery in Wellington.
Lenee’s passion for the vines resulted in a full-circle career move to KWV’s viticultural team, a position which suits her like a glove.
“Knowing that my office is the vineyard is reason enough to be excited every morning, it is a privilege to work with KWV’s dynamic team of viticulturists and winemakers.”
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