George Austin

Have you ever wondered just what it would take to fulfill the dream of having your own vineyard. Have you often sat in the office, knee deep in paperwork, or worse, and thought there must be a less boring way to make a living? Well this is your chance to find out. Our willing guinea pigs at Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards have been prevailed upon to spill the beans and share all with you: the highs, the lows, the joy and the despair. No dirty laundry left unwashed in public! Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards is a newly formed venture. It is the huge gamble of two mad Englishmen, Tom Garnet-Wolseley and John Merriman. They first met in Germany where they were working as investment bankers. Weekend road trips to the Rheingau, Mosel, Alsace and their annual pilgrimage to the Beaune wine festival in Burgundy were the source of much inebriated fun. These weekends were the catalyst for a burgeoning love of the fruit of the vine. They are still slaving away in the city, but now they really need the money. The ten year dream of starting a vineyard has come true. They purchased their farm in Tulbagh in January 2000 and are now on their way to planting their very first vines with the highest expectations of producing pure nectar in a glass. We have asked Tom Garnet-Wolseley and John Merriman, the directors of Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards to give their perspective on this investment. Share with them the decision making process involved in every stage of their venture, and what strategy they are using to work towards their goal. They will be writing candidly about progress in their vineyard and sharing all the trials and tribulations inherent in the venture. This insight comprises the background to their arrival in South Africa, and ultimately into the Tulbagh Valley under the chapter heading, The Birth of a Vineyard. As an ongoing insight we will be publishing monthly updates on the progress of the venture.