Sunday, May 05, 2024

Arco Laarman wake at Kaapzicht

Arco Laarman was a well-known, well-liked and much respected winemaker who died recently
We were invited to his wake which was held at Kaapzicht wine estate in Bottelary
This was not a sad occasion, more a celebration of a life well lived and a fine career very sadly cut short
It was attended by many of his family and friends, so many of us associated with the wine industry
Arco Laarman was only 49 and at the peak of his career, making great wine under his own label,
having spent many years working at Glen Carlou before going out on his own and succeeding so well. A sad loss

Arco at Glen Carlou's celebration of his 20th Anniversary as a winemaker, 2018

With Jordan's Marsha Cooke whilst showing his own wines at Wine Concepts' Chardonnay, Pinot noir Celebration 2019

At Cape Wine 2022

We gathered on the lawn 

The wine served was Arco's lovely Focal Point Chardonnay, so enjoyable, so well made. As was his Focal Point Shiraz 

We were sustained by a great variety of good crisp pizzas that came from this Pizza oven

Avo and bacon was one of the many varieties. Always available at Kaapzicht's Tasting Room

Barry Nieuwoudt, Arco's oldest and best friend, had flown in from Australia to be there
and spoke very well about Arco and their friendship

The many family and friends listening to the speeches

Mrs Laarman, Arco's mother, lighting a candle

Kaapzicht owners Danie and Yngvild Steytler

Mrs Laarman with her son Dan. She told us that Arco had decided he wanted to be a winemaker at the tender age of 12
and she had made sure that path was possible for him

Autumn vine leaves

Danie Steytler spoke about how young Arco had come to stay with them to learn about wine
and became almost a member of the family before he went off to his first job
after he had completed his studies at Stellenbosch
Danie quoted some readings from the Bible

Samara Stern, a good friend of Arco's, spoke of their friendship

Johnathan Grieve of Avondale, Sofie Kruger of Kruger Family Wines and Jill Finlayson


Dan Laarman, Arco's brother, made a very special speech about him

Sofie Kruger, Jill and Walter Finlayson
Arco worked for Walter at Glen Carlou
and continued there as cellarmaster under after Walter sold to Hess Family Wine Estates


Jill Finlayson, Danie Steytler, David Finlayson, Walter Finlayson

Arco's favourite cast iron pan and knives, left to his friend Barry Nieuwoudt

Yngvild Steytler, Danie Steytler, Danie Steytler junior, Carin Steytler

Will Laarman, Arco's father

We were all encouraged to light a candle and to sign the memory book

Mrs Laarman snr with Madeleine, Arco's wife

Madeleine Laarman

Purple Mexican sage, Salvia leacantha in full bloom at the entrance as we left

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