User:Taxi81/Charles Back
Charles Back
Charles Louis Back is the third generation owner of South African wine and cheese producer Fairview, in Paarl in the Western Cape province. Back is widely regarded as one of South Africa's leading vintners, with a reputation for innovation and forward thinking.
He officially joined his family's company in 1978 and took over full control in 1995 after his father, Cyril, passed away. Charles Back has been responsible for taking his wines to the international market, following the fall of Apartheid. Aside from the Fairview range of wines, Back is also the owner of The Goats do Roam Wine Company, which has been the highest selling South African wine in the United States since its introduction in 2000. He also owns The Spice Route Winery which is a wine cellar in the Swartland region of the Western Cape.
Charles Back has brought a number of new grape varietals to South Africa and is one of the country's original Rhône Rangers, being the first producer to plant Viognier and Mourvèdre vineyards. He is of the opinion that the majority of South African vineyards should be planted to more Mediterranean and Rhône style varietals, as opposed to the Bordeaux ones that have typically been favoured.[1]
Back is also recognised for his commitment to social development within the previously disadvataged communities affiliated to the South African wine industry. In 1997 he initiated the establishment of The Fairvalley Workers Association which seeks to provide land ownership to Fairview workers and their families. Back purchased a piece of land adjacent to his Fairview property and through his personal funding as well as a grant from the SA government, the land was prepared and eight houses were built for founding members of the association. Plans are currently in progress to develop the land further through the establishment of an eco-village.
In April 2006, South African WINE Magazine voted Back the second most influential person in the South African wine industry,[2] after Nelson Mandela.
In 2007 Back was nominated as one of UK publication Harpers most influential personalities in the wine industry [3]
UK wine writer, Jamie Goode, refers to Back as "one of the heroes of the South African wine industry" on his website, www.wineanorak.com
References
- ^ Molesworth, J (October, 2007). "Have Goats will Roam". Wine Spectator.
- ^ "Who influences what you are drinking?" (April 2006). Retrieved on 20 April 2008.
- ^ "The Industry's 10 most inspiring people" (18 May 2007).Harpers The Wine and Spirit Weekly, p.24