Ernie Els is one of the most successful golfers in the history of the game, having won more than 60 tournaments since turning professional in 1989. His titles include two US Opens, an Open Championship and a record seven World Match Play titles. We caught up with Ernie recently to speak with him about golf, the very successful Ernie Els portfolio of wines and his dedication to supporting a cure for Autism.
1. Intro: Ernie, thanks for taking a few minutes out of your very busy schedule to speak with us. Between your dedication to golf, wine and philanthropic efforts on behalf on autism, it’s surprising that you have time for sleep.
Response: Golf and winning majors is obviously my main focus but I think it is healthy to have interests outside golf and that is the work/life balance I try to achieve.
2. Question: You’ve been a top global ambassador for golf over the last decade, offering the world some insight, as well, into one of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet, South Africa. Now you’ve become a celebrity spokesperson for the rapidly developing South Africa wine industry. Is it challenging to wear two hats?
Response: As I am sure most people are, I am very proud of my home country. The Stellenbosch area, where Ernie Els Wines is located, is a place of real natural beauty with stunning mountains leading down to the coast and wonderful beaches. When you are passionate about South Africa and wine, like I am, it feels very natural to be enthusiastic about it.
3. Question: Since Apartheid was lifted, the wine industry in South Africa has been free to develop to its full potential. Could you comment on what you’ve seen in its development and progress over the last 15 years?
Response: The South African wine industry has a lot of heritage and quality that I think many people outside of South Africa are only just realizing. Ernie Els Wines for example, has great terroir, a great winemaker and team and, what I believe, a very good portfolio of wines. The awards Ernie Els Wines and other South African wine estates have won on an international stage also shows the SA Wine Industry can compete with the best.
4. Question: The Ernie Els Wines vineyard is located in the renowned Stellenbosch region. What led Ernie Els Wines to be established in the area?
Response: For many years, Jean Engelbrecht (Proprietor) and his family had been making very good wine at Rust en Vrede wine farm at the bottom of the slope of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch. They were producing very good quality and renowned red wines. It was within Rust en Vrede that the Ernie Els wines were started. It was a natural fit really and it could never have been considered anywhere else. For those that are unfamiliar with the region, Stellenbosch is located 40 minutes from Cape Town, in the Western Cape Region of South Africa and is blessed with a Mediterranean climate with an average rainfall of around 650mm per annum. The soils contain components of Oak leaf and Clay with the deeper soils having a considerable amount of granite. The majority of the vineyards at Ernie Els Wines are north-facing with the rows running in an East-West direction resulting in the optimal utilization of sunlight. This combination imparts warmer fruit flavors to the wine. In summer, the vineyards’ close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean results in cool sea breezes that keeps temperatures lower, extending the ripening period.
5. Question: The first Ernie Els Wines vintage in year 2000 hit the wine charts on top, receiving outstanding ratings and have been acclaimed ever since. Do you think the wines produced at Ernie Els Wines today are different from that first vintage and if so, how?
Response: I think it was always the aim of Louis, the winemaker, and Jean to produce top quality wines and this has never changed. The portfolio has grown since 2000 and new varietals and also a complimentary portfolio, Guardian Peak have been introduced. There is now a really good portfolio and I am not sure that the average consumer in the US knows that Ernie Els wines produces 9 different wines ranging from $12 upwards. It is not only the signature wine that is receiving high ratings; 3 of the wines from the Ernie Els portfolio have over 90 point ratings with Wine Spectator. In addition to this, the LAPA Cabernet Sauvignon from the Guardian Peak range was awarded ‘International Red Wine of the Year’ at the recent International Wine Challenge in London. I hope your readers consider Ernie Els wines and try them in their wine selections this year – I don’t think they will be disappointed.
6. Question: Ernie Els Wines beautifully represent Bordeaux blends. How did the team arrive at the decision to produce this varietal blend?
Response: Initially Jean, Louis and I sat together and we tasted a great number of different wines and varietals. I tested the wines blindly but my favorite wines always came back to being Bordeaux blends. The team has proved very adept at producing great Bordeaux blends and working with those varietals.
7. Question: I understand that the biodiversity of the South African region is unparalleled with over 9500 different and sometime truly unique species. It seems as if the local wine industry has embraced the need to practice in a style that respects and protects this biodiversity and encourages recycling whenever possible. How does this influence winemaking decisions in the Ernie Els Wines vineyard?
Response: Everyone at Ernie Els wines is very focused on this and the team has done a great job. In 2009, they were actually awarded the International Sustainable Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine Challenge. I was really pleased for them as it is always nice to get recognition for your efforts. The team never rest on their laurels so I am sure they will continue to strive for excellence in regards to sustainable farming practices.
8. Ernie, I don’t think that many of our readers are aware of your philanthropic dedication to discovering a cure for autism. Would you be kind enough to share with us a bit about these efforts?
Response: Autism is something that is definitely close to the hearts of Liezl and I. In 2008 we announced that our son Ben was affected by Autism. The response was incredible and we were amazed and very touched by the number of letters of support we received from families in similar situations. From that moment I realized that I was in a position to really draw attention to something that is turning into an epidemic worldwide. We set up the Els for Autism Foundation in late 2008 and we have an ambitious project, a centre of excellence for Autism, which we are raising funds to build in Palm Beach, Fl where we live. We post quite a bit of information on our Charity via our website so your readers could learn more about Autism and the centre at www.ernieels.com.
9. Thanks for speaking with us, Ernie, and best of luck in the upcoming 2010 Masters.
Tags: Ernie Els, South Africa, Stellenbosch
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It’s refreshing to read something uplifting about a professional golfer these days. I had no idea Ernie was making wine in South Africa. If he has three wines with scores in the 90′s, he’s doing a great job, and I’ll have to check them out, especially the LAPA Cabernet Sauvignon.
Kudos for helping the autism community, a very worthy cause.
[...] Well, considering that the entire match is to be played in South Africa, I thought that it would be proper to celebrate with some South Africa wines. So where should I start? Well, I thought it might be interesting to attempt to pair the wines with a few South African dishes. I had to embark upon some research as my familiarity with South Africa cuisine is non-existent. I found a recipe for an interesting Yellow Melon Muscadel (Melon Salad) that incorporates fruit juice, lemon juice, cantaloupe and watermelon along with a little Muscadel wine, sugar, salt and pepper. I figure I can pair that with an indigenous Sauvignon Blanc (Ken Forrester or Warwick). Next up, I am intrigued by the Mealie soup. Now before you conjure up distasteful images of this dish, let me allay your fears…………….it’s corn soup. Ingredients include butter, onions, tomatoes, canned and creamed corn, evaporated milk, chicken stock, salt and pepper. The richness of the soup seems to beg for a rich Chenin Blanc….look for the Ken Forrester, De Trafford, and Raats. For a main dish, I could elect to go for the Bobotie (meat pie) but it incorporates lemon juice, curry powder and apple and I really want to go for the Ernie Els Stellenbosch Bordeaux blend (www.ernieels.com/wine). I’m afraid that the citrus and curry elements might not allow the wine to show its best and the Ernie Els blend is one of the best reds that South Africa has to offer. So excuse me for omitting the meat pie but I think the wine deserves a big piece of meat. So for this one, I’m hopping a plane back to the US for a Prime Sirloin or Ribeye. I’ve paired these before and it’s a great match! For dessert, how about a Klappertert (coconut pie). For that, I scouted out a Chardonnay, either the Excelsior or the Fleur du Cap. Both are mid range on the quality scale, very affordable with the latter sporting a little more fullness. I’ll let you know the pairings and dishes work out. Meanwhile, you can learn more about South Africa and its wines by clicking here and about Ernie Els and his wines by clicking here. [...]
[...] fundraiser event on behalf of Autism. The request came from the team of future PGA hall of famer Ernie Els. While most recognize Ernie as a world class PGA champion and a fine wine producer, perhaps it could [...]