George Young, sommelier at Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, has been named South Africa’s Best Young Sommelier for 2024 by the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA). The award highlights his expertise and passion for wine. 

Hailing from Hoedspruit in Limpopo, George’s wine career has been defined by a dedication to excellence and education. He holds a WSET Level 3 qualification and a diploma from the Cape Wine Academy, with aspirations of achieving the highly regarded Cape Wine Master certification. Eat Out caught up with George to chat about his life in wine.

 

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Who or what first inspired your love for wine, and how did that passion evolve over time? 
“It was at my first formal wine tasting in Stellenbosch, after I moved to Cape Town four years ago from Hoedspruit in Limpopo. The tasting-room manager had a seat with me and explained the many aspects of wine and winemaking. Since that day, I’ve been captivated by wine and on a quest to learn and know more, and to make it a big part of my life. Wine literally changed my life for the better, in just four years.”

You’ve mentioned Spencer Fondaumiere and Le Roi van de Vyver as your mentors. What are some of the key lessons you’ve learnt from them, and how have they shaped your approach to wine?
“Both Spencer and Le Roi are fantastic at what they do! They’ve taught me the intricacies when it comes to competitions, but the trait they both have, that I admire so much, is their generosity of spirit. Their willingness to give back. What they do, in their professional and personal capacities, is astounding.” 

You’re passionate about mentoring others in the industry. What are your hopes for the South African sommelier community’s growth in the years to come? 
“I do enjoy helping others to find their place in wine because I know how drastically my life changed for the better when I started studying and becoming involved in wine. I can only imagine what it may do for others. I believe that a sommelier or wine steward – the person who presents and serves wines – can make or break the wine experience. So, I’m hoping the community grows in leaps and bounds so we can widen and solidify the country’s offering of excellent wine experiences, thereby also promoting local wines to our fellow South Africans and others from elsewhere. We have it all here – amazing wine, world-class food and incredible people. We can make it happen – all the building blocks are there.” 

What is it about South African wines that excites you most right now? Are there any particular varietals or regions you think deserve more attention?
“I’m fascinated by the various wine-growing regions – each offering a unique climate and micro-climate, which in turn have huge influences on the taste of wines. I do love Merlot and feel it’s a very underrated grape variety. I believe, if grown in the correct conditions, Merlot can and will deliver incredible full-bodied, well-balanced wines. Consider Vergenoegd Löw Amalie Merlot 2022 that won the VinLog Merlot Trophy at the 2024 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards. The estate’s low-lying location in Stellenbosch, just 3km from the Atlantic Ocean, means the vines grow in lime-rich soils infused with maritime fossils – quite unusual for the appellation. This unique terroir imparts an elegant freshness and concentration of flavour to the wines, which is evident in the trophy-winning 2022 Merlot, made from fruit sourced from both older vines and younger ones planted in 2020. Lesser-known Mediterranean grape varieties like Grenache, Cinsault and Roussanne also excite me.”

For someone just beginning to explore the world of wine, what are your top three tips for selecting and enjoying wine?
“Keep tasting! The more wines you taste, the more you learn. Learn at your own pace, don’t rush it. Enjoy the process because there’s really no limit to how much one can learn or know about wine.”

You’ve spoken about creating memorable experiences for guests. What, in your opinion, makes a wine experience truly unforgettable?
“Apart from good wine and food, I believe it’s the company – the human element – that makes for memorable wine experiences. From someone who works in hospitality, I believe human connections play a huge role. It’s not just about making general suggestions about wine and food, but actually getting into the mind of the wine drinker, finding out where they are on their wine journey and adding to that.”

Where do you see South African wine culture headed in the next five years, and what role do you hope to play in that journey?
“I think our South African wine culture is growing. I mean, Tim Atkin MW, a highly regarded British journalist and commentator, who recently visited South Africa to release his 2024 report on the local wine industry, is so optimistic about South African wine. It’s truly encouraging! In my personal capacity, I hope to continue doing my part in terms of mentoring and educating others on wine and helping to get more and more passionate young people to join this exciting industry.”  

What advice would you give to young sommeliers or wine enthusiasts who aspire to hold the Best Young Sommelier title?
“If anyone wants to hold the title, they can. If I can, they can! They just have to put themselves out there and try, work hard, be curious, be dedicated and enjoy the learning process.” 

While you’re here, meet the winner of the Eat Out Woolworths Wine Service Award, which celebrates excellence in wine service, recognising individuals who offer outstanding wine experiences. It honours sommeliers and wine stewards for their knowledge, dedication, and ability to enhance meals with carefully curated wine selections, elevating South Africa’s wine and food culture.