Winemaker Of Wildekrans | William Wilkinson

Posted in Food & Wine | Local Personalities | Wine & Alcohol | Wine Routes, Brandy Routes & Local Breweries

Raising the Red Flag…

William moved to Hermanus in 1991 after his dad was offered a position at Hamilton Russell Vineyards as a manager. William, winemaker of Wildekrans along the Bot River wine route grew up in the wine and grape industry. It is no wonder that the transition to an award winning winemaker is a natural one!

See what he has to say…

Hermanus is…

The gateway destination of the Western Cape.

I love Hermanus in the…

Winter, because the northern off shore winds blow and the ocean is always warm and full of swell.

If Hermanus was a wine it would be…

A rose, a variation of personalities.

What makes Hermanus better than other wine growing regions in S.A.?

Hermanus is one of the world’s newest wine producing areas and in the same breath producing some of the world’s best wines. The cool Atlantic climate with Overberg warmth is ideal in summer and perfect for phenolic ripening in grapes.

What wine do you think represents who you are and your life?

That wine has not been found yet…

My favourite wine is…

I am a huge supporter of Pinotage and Pinotage driven blends, we are releasing our Maiden Vintage Pinot Noir soon so this might have an influence towards my favourite wine! It’s Pinot and Pinotage. Pinotage is proudly South African and I am a proud citizen. Well sometimes haha…

My favourite meal to enjoy this wine with would be?

Cool climate Pinotage is versatile due to the fresh acidity. You can enjoy it with anything! Steak with berry reduction and whole peppercorn sauce & roasted veg is my favourite.

The worst thing I have ever drank was…

Seawater and warm beer. They kind of taste the same…

The best part of your job is…

Waking up to be part of what I’ve always wanted to be part of and that’s wine! Going home afterwards and being with my wife Belinda and Turner our son and all the other special things in ones life.

I would love to visit…

The whole world, a new destination every 3 years…that would be cool hey?

I wish I knew then what I do know about…

Thoughts that I can’t relate to. Everything happens for a reason and life is a journey. Live life from day to day and appreciate the small things and moments in life. After all life’s about living!

My best memories are…

Normally the beginnings of great evenings where you can’t remember a thing that happened but read it on Facebook the next day…hahaha. I am really blessed in many ways and therefore have great memories, people and nature are normally the centre point of great memories.