You can have the perfect soil, select the best vines, have a state of the art cellar and dreams of making a great wine but without a dedicated team of hardworking people it will all amount to nothing.

Overgaauw is very privileged to have a small but hands on team who keep the wheels oiled in all aspects of the vineyard and cellar. Lodewyk who has been on the farm for 35 years manages a vineyard team that includes his son Louis. Klaas who is the tractor driver was born at Overgaauw and has been working here for 38 years and along with Lodewyk was part of the team who harvested the grapes for the first Overgaauw and South African Merlot in 1982. M’Daan, David’s right hand in the cellar is assisted by Ezra and Sampie, a formidable team who have bought into David’s winemaking philosophy with all their heart. In May 2008 M’daan completed a Learnership in Winemaking and Cellar Management. We were very proud and excited when M’daan was selected as one of the recipients of the Patrick Grubb bursary which sent him to Bordeaux for the 2010 harvest, where he spent three weeks at Chateau d'Angulet with Benjamin Sichel and his family. We are proud that every bottle of Overgaauw wine that leaves our cellar carries an imprint of each of these dedicated Overgaauw workers.

M’daan Pieterse on his three weeks at Chateau d’Angulet in Margaux

I had the privilege of spending three weeks at Chateau d'Angulet with Benjamin Sichel and his family. They made me feel at home and really treated me to some amazing 1980’s wines from their cellar and special dinners in town.

Some things were different to how we do it at Overgaauw. For instance they do not do any cold soaking prior to fermentation. And all the wines are already sold while still in the barrel!
My accommodation was next to the tasting room which was never locked. It was incredible how one could also walk around late at night, it is just so safe there.

I had an unforgettable experience, I learnt a lot in the cellar and I also learnt interesting things about the Bordeaux region and people. I will always cherish these memories and truly appreciate the wonderful opportunity which the Patrick Grubb bursary gave me.