La Motte is a long time supporter of the Cape Wine Academy so it is always a pleasure to see new Cape Wine Masters emerging from the programme. This year four people graduated, each having won an individual award: Lizette Tolken for Viticulture, Raymond Noppé for Viniculture, and Dave March for Sparkling Wine, while the Brandy Award went to Derek Ramsden.
The viticulture award was won by Lizette whose dissertation was about Cabernet Franc in South Africa and across the globe.
Lizette is an admitted attorney, notary and conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa and has been practising law for 19 years. She also lectures and marks assignments for the Cape Wine Academy.
Cabernet Franc is the (grape) love of her life and she is a self-proclaimed brandy ambassador for South Africa. Travelling being one of her favourite hobbies, she has visited most of the winelands of the world, with Portugal being her favourite destination.
Lizette was part of an informal Stellenbosch-based tasting group for two years with fellow graduates Raymond and Dave and is proud to have been involved with lecturing students in Langa as part of the Government’s Sommelier Level 1 project.