Glen Carlou is pleased to announce that Johnnie Calitz will be joining the Company as Head Winemaker from Monday 3rd October 2016.
“As Head Winemaker, Johnnie brings a wealth of experience, both local and international, to our wine making programme. I am delighted to welcome him as part of the Team, as we embark on a new era, growing our Brand to the next level of excellence”, says General Manager, Johan Erasmus.
Johnnie comes to Glen Carlou after a successful tenure at neighbouring property, Anura Vineyards, where he garnered many accolades for his wines.
After growing up on a fruit and wine farm in Calitzdorp in the Little Karoo, which at the time was home to three Cape Wine Masters, Johnnie was inspired to enter the industry. There must have been something in the water, as it is a town recognised for rearing great winemaking talent.
Outgoing winemaker Arco Laarman will share his 17 years of experience at Glen Carlou with Johnnie over the next three months, including the 2017 Harvest in a consulting capacity to ensure style consistency.
Arco resigned from Glen Carlou to commence his own wine label as well as a consulting business. Johan Erasmus says “After seventeen years of loyal service, and great winemaking, we wish Arco all the very best with his new career. Arco will always remain part of our family”.
Johnnie Calitz becomes the fourth winemaker since Glen Carlou was founded in 1985. It is our winemakers’ collective passion which has ensured the crafting of exceptional wines for almost three decades. Glen Carlou creates classic, award winning wines with consistency, expertise and a commitment to always deliver beyond expectation; it is what we strive for with every bottle of wine.