A TRAINEE winemaker, Thornton Pillay of Lotus Park will produce his own wine under the auspices of the Cape Winemakers Guild Protege Programme.
Currently in his second year, he is one of three young winemakers who have been given this golden opportunity.
“It is a three-year mentorship programme which offers young, passionate winemakers the rare opportunity to work alongside the finest winemakers in SA.”
Thornton chose to produce a natural sweet wooded muscadel at Groot Constantia Wine Estate. “Spices and aromatic foods play a major role in my daily life. I chose the muscadel as I believe this wine pairs fantastically with curries and spicy foods.”
As a protege, he is also required to prepare budgets, production plans and marketing proposals for his wine, in order to experience the entire process. The wines will be auctioned during the final internship year at gala dinners in Johannesburg and Cape Town and at a Silent Auction at the annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction. The funds raised are ploughed back into the programme to support the development of future winemakers.
Thornton attended Isipingo Secondary School from 2005 to 2007 and transferred to the Weston Agricultural College in Mooi River, where he matriculated in 2009. In 2012 he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at Elsenberg and thereafter applied to and was accepted into the protege programme.
His interest in his career choice stems from his parents. “As I was growing up, my parents were involved in agriculture, in the fruits and vegetables sector. It sparked an interest in me to pursue agriculture as a career. In matric at Weston Agricultural College, I was introduced to winemaking at a seminar. This caught my attention, it amazed me that one could take a simple bunch of grapes and harness its richness to produce an unique piece of art in the form of wine.”
Among the highlights of the programme so far was being invited to technical tastings and a chance to sit among SA’s finest winemakers. “I had the opportunity to work alongside three mentors to help broaden my perspective of how various types of wines are made, so one day I would be able to achieve my goal of producing, premium quality, award-winning wines.”
On completion of the programme, Thornton plans to either find a permanent job at home or abroad. He is also considering going overseas to a few international harvests.
For now, in his spare time, Thornton enjoys scenic afternoon drives in Cape Town, visiting the various wine farms in to taste and increase his knowledge about locally produced wines.
