Ken Forrester stole the show at The Wine Harvest Commemorative Event held earlier this month, and not just because of his stylish tartan attire.
Widely known as “Mr Chenin”, Forrester was one of four individuals honoured at a black-tie event held at Groot Constantia on Thursday 2 February. Held annually to celebrate the birth of South Africa’s wine industry, the occasion gives tribute to industry trailblazers who show the way for future generations. And Forrester definitely falls in that category.
This year’s recipient of the prestigious 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership, Forrester is respected and revered for his contribution to the development and international fame of the Chenin Blanc cultivar and for profoundly enhancing the reputation of South African Chenin.
Born in Zambia and raised in Krugersdorp, he first made a name for himself in the restaurant trade many a year ago. Backed by his experience in hospitality, he made his foray into the wine industry in 1993 when he bought the historic Scholtzenhof Farm in Stellenbosch. It was here that his love affair with Chenin Blanc began.
In a pre-recorded video shown at the commemorative event, Forrester’s business associate and friend, Martin Meinert, gave guests a peek into the award winner’s go-getter personality.
“Ken would come to me with challenges. He’d say things to me, like, ‘I want to make the best Chenin Blanc in the world’. And I would say to him, Ken, you are crazy? I mean, why the heck would we want to do that? You know, there are so many good people making great wine. Why can’t we just make a good Chenin Blanc? ‘No, no, it has to be the greatest Chenin Blanc in the world.’ Okay, Ken. How are we going to do it? ‘No I don’t know, but let’s try’.”
And try they did. Forrester’s vision put his brand, Ken Forrester Wines, and the South African wine industry at the forefront of Chenin Blanc production.
Johann Krige, a proprietor at Kanonkop Wine Estate, said what Forrester had done for the cultivar and the South African wine industry was enormous.
“His contribution towards promoting the South African wine industry in general and also, obviously, his brand. How he managed to get that brand going in about 10 years’ time. Absolutely amazing.”
In 1998, the Chenin Blanc Association of South Africa was established with Forrester as a founding member. Thanks to the work of the association, South Africa today grows more Chenin Blanc than the rest of the world combined.
Willie du Plessis, Provincial Head: Business Client Coverage: Western Cape, Standard Bank, said: “He’s that person who is so humble, who is so focused on the people in the industry, and the people across the industry, from farmworker level up to winemaker level up to farm-owner level, to make that impact as an industry leader to deliver sustainable growth in the wine industry.”
Accepting the award, Forrester said he didn’t get to where he was alone.
“All the people who have had an influence and all the people who have left something with me.”
He said he owed a debt of gratitude to Bernard Germain with whom he worked in France back in the day. He described Germain as a renegade.
“He dared to put Chenin Blanc on the front label and lost his status as savennières (a highly respected white wine appellation). He was 20 years ahead of his time. And I learned with him, I worked with him for three vintages. He was the most inspiring man.”
Forrester said he also had to thank Chenin Blanc.
“Where I have come from, where there were possibly 10 people bottling Chenin Blanc, today there are over 500 people bottling Chenin Blanc. Chenin Blanc is the white wine of South Africa and I can only say that it justifies my ultimate belief throughout life that a rising tide will lift all ships.”
The winners in the categories Growing Inclusivity, Wine Advancement, and Viti- and Viniculture are Rydal Jeftha, CEO and Managing Director of the Koopmanskloof Vineyards; Wendy Jonker, appointed by the Minister of Agriculture as Administering Officer of the Liquor Products Act; and Dr Erna Blancquaert, lecturer and researcher in viticulture, respectively.
