This week has been weirdly quiet, something is definitely missing, or rather someone…….

We say farewell to RJ, who started off in our tasting room as a student and joined us as a winemaker straight out of varsity. 5 years on he can look back on his time with us with huge pride. He leaves with a wonderful reputation, winning the Diner’s Club Young Winemaker award in 2010, plus many stars and medals of all hues in lots of different competitions for his gorgeous wines, culminating in the latest coveted 5 star platter award for the 2011 Coronata Integration. A brilliant achievement!

Bernhard will be returning to the cellar full-time with immediate effect and in the New Year he will be joined by our very exciting new Winemaking Assistant.

RJ, our rough and tumble friend, with a wild, receding hair, (which he styles with shampoo) and a willingness to help everybody leaves us with loads of fond memories and some really funny ones.

……remember when he came to pump over after a WP game and omitted to secure the pipe, well he pumped all over himself

…or the time when the bump in the paving got the better of him driving the forklift loaded with (thank goodness empty) bottles, all of them exploding right in front of the tasting room door

…..but the thing we will probably miss the most is our very own “Braai Master” who never turned a chop without a glass of Sauvignon Blanc in his  hand, declaring EVERYTHING GOES WITH SAUVIGNON.

As you move on to the next part of your journey at Kleine Zalze RJ, always remember, it does not matter where you are you will always be part of our Nitida Family. We expect great things of you!

RJ, bon voyage our friend, the biscuit tin was horribly full this morning but our office was empty.