GUEST SPEAKERS
Joining us for the 2022 Pinot Noir Celebration are the acclaimed Roland Peens, Miguel Chan, Cathy van Zyl, and Joseph Defana.
They'll entice us with their wine knowledge and each moderate a panel tasting in our respective Hemel-en-Aarde appellations when tasting through the current vintage Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noirs with their winemakers.
Roland Peens
While studying economics at the University of Stellenbosch, Roland found a keenness for wine and started exploring the exciting industry. Roland worked in marketing, retail, exports and as a sommelier before joining Wine Cellar in 2005 – one of South Africa’s foremost importers and retailers of fine wines. In 2020 Roland moved to a small farm in Stanford to explore polyculture,and, today holds directorships at a number of wine business. International business, study and travel have added extensive insight to his understanding of the wine world, with vast experience in wine judging and fine wine trade. When he isn’t popping corks, he enjoys farming, cooking, and running on the beautiful Cape mountains.
Roland will be returning as a guest speaker of the Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir celebration.
Miguel Chan
CMS, Group Sommelier, Tsogo Sun
Having trained in Mauritius, he has worked in South Africa since 2003 and has since built an extraordinary reputation as being one of SA’s top Sommeliers. Not only a UK Court of Masters Master Sommelier, a Chaines de Rôtisseurs South African Young Sommelier of the Year, but has also judged on numerous publications, competitions and awards shows including Platter, Absa Top 10 Pinotage, Nederburg Auction, Old Mutual Trophy wine Show and South African Airways.
Tongai Joseph Dhafana
Tongai is a refugee who turned winemaker, award-winning Sommelier, philanthropy, Mosi wines, and Spirits owner and wine judge. He always believes that sweat is sweet and determination breeds success and never forgets your roots. Giving back is a sign of a well-raised human being. Tongai Joseph Dhafana holds (UCT) wine judging certificate, CMS) Introductory certificate (WSET) certificate, (SASA) Sommelier level 2 certificate, Captained team Zimbabwe for World blind tasting championships twice in 2017 & 2018. Came 3rd best wine taster in South Africa in 2015 and booked his spot to participate in the world Cup with team South Africa. Tongai Joseph Dhafana is the current holder of the 2019 Eat Out Sommelier service award. Joseph was at the centre of Blind Ambition documentary. He helped Cyclone Idai victims in Zimbabwe by building houses and donating food hampers. He also auctioned his case of wine and donated the money to Goedghedacht trust in Swartland SA, donated money and wine to Eziko school of catering in Langa township SA and Jan Van Riebeek school in Cape Town. He now co-owns Travel Africa network Culinary Safaris.
Cathy van Zyl
Cathy started her wine journey on a bicycle: she asked her husband to ride SA’s famed Cape Town with her; he accepted if she attended a wine course with him. She has since notched up more than 21 tours – and passed the prestigious Master of Wine examination in 2005. Previously chair of the Institute of Masters of Wines education committee, she is now a member of its Council. Cathy judges locally and internationally, occasionally contributes to wine journals and websites around the world but spends most of her wine time as associated editor of this guide. In 2019 she was named Institute of Cape Wine Masters’ Personality of the Year for her passionate promotion of SA wine.