Getting Paid in Kind of Wine

David Finlayson peers from behind a vat while a cellar-hand helps himself to some wine.
David Finlayson peers from behind a vat while a cellar-hand helps himself to some wine.

The much-maligned tot-system is alive and well, and I am sure I am not the only one willing to work for wine. This week past saw me straining under tremendous physical and emotional toil for nothing but the prospect of a good stiff drink from my temporary employer. The sweat-drenched brow, the aching lower back and the pulsing veins were all worth it, though, when said employer produced a few bottles of alcohol. Within minutes the pain was gone, a pleasant coolness had set in and a feeling of good-will to all men – well, almost all – was taking grip.

What’s there not to like?

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Over the Edge, into Greatness

David Finlayson looking Edgy.....

There’s a lot of good stuff going on in new plantings, new wines, new styles. Juicy drops concocted from a medley of Rh?+¦???+¦?+¦????ne varietals. Hearty, solid Portuguese-styled reds. The odd experiment with Sangiovese and co-Italian variety Nebbiola.

Yes, the South African wine industry is free from its over-regulated shackles of yesteryear, leaving farmers to plant what they want, where they want. Okay, so it takes a call to Duimpie Bayly at the Wine and Spirits Board, but what the heck. Want to plant Gr?+¦???+¦?+¦???+æneveltliner on the Heads at Knysna or Nero d’Avola on the Cape Flats, go for it.

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David Finlayson leaves Glen Carlou to focus on Edgebaston

David and Walther Finlayson.
David and Walter Finlayson.

Wine maker David Finlayson has resigned as cellarmaster and CEO of Glen Carlou with immediate effect. Along with his father and Glen Carlou founder, Walter Finlayson, David built Glen Carlou into a premier wine estate known for world-class Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Bordeaux blends. A 50% share-holding in Glen Carlou was purchased by the Hess Group of Switzerland in 1995, where-after David progressed to winemaker and CEO. The Hess Group took complete control of the Paarl Estate in 2003.
“I will now be concentrating exclusively on my Edgebaston wine brand which I started a few years ago from my own vineyards in Stellenbosch,” says David. “The experience I gained with Glen Carlou in the South African and international wine markets will hopefully stand me in good stead to continue growing Edgebaston and underscoring my commitment to the South African wine industry.”

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