A great oak (he might say Oke!) has fallen, sadly, at the tender age of 60
Martin Moore was a big man, not just physically, but in almost every way. His zest for life, his huge sense of humour, love of life with wine, food (especially braai), people and sport and his encyclopaedic knowledge of the process and business of making wine
Martin sharing his sense of humour with Neil Ellis at Cape Wine 2022
We met him first when he was making the wine at Groot Constantia and reviving the wine reputation of this historic estate. We were near the end of our studies for the Cape Wine Academy diploma and his help was invaluable in getting us over the final hurdle
One day, toward the end of his time at Groot Constantia, after a thorough tasting of their wines, with older vintages from his vinoteque, a very valuable learning experience, he suddenly said “Wait, I found something this morning that I forgot I had made”, and produced a superb Shiraz which was about 5 years old*
He also taught us how to distinguish a wine with added flavours from a well-made wine when two Sauvignons Blanc were being questioned that had all nose, and no classic flavours
Receiving a Gold Medal Certificate at the 2022 Investec Trophy Awards
He moved to Durbanville Hills as cellarmaster when it was being established in 1998 and it has been his passion ever since, making an extremely successful range of wines, here and overseas, from gluggable every day quality to really great serious wines at the top level
Talking seriously about wine, 2014
His Rhinofields and Biesjes Craal Sauvignons were benchmarks. We enjoyed our last bottle of the 2009 at Franskraal, Southern Cape in December 2019; at 10 years old, it was still young, lively and delicious. Take note, all those who think white wines should only be consumed when young
He was always fun to be with, drinking wine, eating great food and joking about life and its vicissitudes. Lynne and Martin even swopped recipes, as he was a keen and experienced cook. He gave great hugs and his beaming smile was so welcoming
especially his sister Janine Roos (married to Tielman Roos, Mooiplaas viticulturist) and his sons
His colleagues at Durbanville Hills posted an obituary:
https://www.durbanvillehills.co.za/Martin-Moore-In-Memorium
* The first modern planting of Shiraz by Groot Constantia was in 1963, although the first recorded planting in South Africa was at Groot Constantia in the 1890s. Constantia continues to produce excellent shiraz
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