Well-known PE Surgeon Launches Wine Label in Karoo
Well-known Port Elizabeth surgeon Dr Andy Hillock has launched his own wine label in Ladismith in the Klein Karoo.
As a promising newcomer in the Klein Karoo wine region, Hillock Wines, launched its first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and the Hillock personality blend, Barrel Roll, on the farm on Saturday. Hillock Wines is located just off Route 62, on the farm Mymering in the fertile Dwarsrivier Valley at the foot of the Towerkop mountains. The farm is surrounded by nature reserves, including the Towerkop and Anysberg reserves.
Award-winning wine expert, Mark Carmichael-Green, is the Cellar Master for Hillock Wines and also lectures at the Cape Wine Academy, and works with Hillock winemaker Duan Brits and Hillock.
Dr Hillock is a well-known surgeon from Port Elizabeth who together with partner, viticulturist Riaan Steyn, built up the Hillock Vineyard over many years of hard work. The 55ha farm started out as a table grape and fruit farm – but today it is also home to blocks of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Ruby Cabernet.
Andy has three great passions in life: medicine, flying and farming. As a young man he flew Harvards in the air force. Next came his career as a general surgeon at Life St Georges Hospital in Port Elizabeth. And finally it was time to pursue his third dream: farming to make wine. From this passion Hillock’s flagship was born, the Barrel Roll.
The Hillock label may be new, but it is already garnering recognition with all 4 wines winning awards at The Klein Karoo Markklaar Wine Show 2011 and the Klein Karoo Young Wine Show 2011. Dr Hillock said to the future drinkers of his wine: “I hope that you enjoy this wine as much as I have enjoyed making it.” All Hillock Wines are made, bottled and labelled at Mymering. The Hillock tasting room is open from 10am to 4.30pm daily.
The wines are available online at www.hillockwines.com, at selected outlets in Ladismith and Port Elizabeth, and will also soon be available in Cape Town and other major centres.
Mymering is a working guest farm with four star guest accommodation. Each unit is themed with stylish interiors, and is equipped with private plunge pools or an outdoor Jacuzzi under the Karoo stars.
For more information about Mymering, please see http://www.mymering.com,
and for additional information about Hillock Wines, please see www.hillockwines.com. For pictures of the launch, captions and product shots, please see http://www.hillockwines.com/Hillock_Wines/Media.html. All the pictures were taken by Port Elizabeth photographer Karl Schoemaker.
