In his first year at the university his interest in wine drastically increased and the first thoughts came to change his career. After completing his degree in chemical engineering he worked in South Africa and California for two years, but then in 2003 he returned to the same university to study viticulture and oenology.
He was appointed as winemaker at Altydgedacht in 2006 and in 2009 also harvested in New Zealand. In his free time hy plays nylon-string guitar for several bands. Etienne is a member of the Management Committee of the Pinotage Association. Altydgedacht, Durbanville. Tel. +27 (21) 976 1295. etienne@altydgedacht.co.za