The Winemaker

CONTINENTAL COOL

Swiss-born Didier Duc has lived in Thornhill since immigrating to SA in 2010. ‘My favourite Kouga space is amidst the dunes at Gamtoos River mouth,’ he says. ‘It’s spacious, wild, peaceful, and inspiring, and I often go to sit there in my camp chair, just with

my notebook and my thoughts.’ Didier’s passion for mountain biking contributed to the start of 3Rivers Trails, but right now he’s focused on

making a unique Eastern Cape boutique wine. ‘I grew up in the Rhône Valley, in the Swiss Alps, helping my

parents with their vineyards after school, but moved away when I was 20. Deep down I am a doer, so when I decided to “return to the vine” in 2017, I worked with a top Cape winemaker to create Geelwal, which I hope will become a very

different wine.’