Growing up in Paarl, Matthew’s interest in wine started at a young age. After high school he went to work in wine regions across the world, including Switzerland, France, California, Australia and New Zealand. Only when he returned home did he study at Elsenburg Agricultural College. He completed his diploma with a distinction in winemaking.
Matthew went on to work for Schalk Burger & Sons wine estate – Welbedacht. With all of this experience under his belt Matthew learnt to produce wines with minimal intervention that show off the wonderful fruit that this estate grows. In 2007, Matthew joined the team at Vondeling.
Today he is the Senior Winemaker at Vondeling wines in Paarl.
Matthew likes to keep it real. This is a winemaker who cuts out the superfluous. “I use every honest technique and practice to express the origins of the fruit in the most authentic way,” he says touching on his winemaking philosophy.
Matthew’s focus is to consistently hone and improve his wines.
Credit – Vondeling Wines
Matthew appreciates how everything happens under one roof at Vondeling. “You grow your own grapes, make the wine, and bottle the wine.”
He lives on Vondeling, overlooking the vineyards, with his wife Yolandi and two sons, Joshua and Henry. The family enjoys going for runs and walks on the farm, and soaking up the quiet, unspoilt surroundings.
Make sure to visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSbpdE0ula8 for our complete interview with winemaker Matthew Copeland
