'I’m doing a Kalahari theme,' announces burly Frans Smit jovially, brandishing a pair of tongs at the heap of glowing coals and array of grids, meat hooks, and potjie paraphernalia in his substantial built-in fireplace with custom-made pull-out storage units.
Vintage 17
Comfortable couches and adjustable awnings make this spacious verandah overlooking Stellenbosch's vineyards and mountains an all-year place of entertainment for the man whose heart still lies in the wide-open spaces of the Northern Cape. It’s where Frans Smit grew up, but his career has been dedicated to helping rebuild one of the Cape’s famous old wine farms.
Spier has a history dating back to the late seventeenth century, although the first wines were only produced here in 1770. An era of ownership by old Cape clans ended with the sale of the historic homestead and adjacent property in the early 1990s by the family of the late Niel Joubert, a founder of the Stellenbosch Wine Route in the 1970s.
A new beginning came courtesy of the Enthoven family, lovers of history and the arts, imbued with a strong sense of community. They were on a mission to redevelop a rather run-down Spier as an exercise in sustainable business enterprise, balancing commercial viability with social and environmental concerns.
But, while the historic wine farm with its hotel, restaurants, amphitheater and conference venues was taking centre stage, a new young winemaker was busy in the background, helping re-establish Spier as synonymous with fine wine.
Frans, born in Windhoek in Namibia, grew up in the Northern Cape farming community of Kakamas, where he matriculated. 'My father grew grapes, so my interest in viticulture was always there.'
He joined Spier immediately upon graduating from Elsenburg Agricultural College as one of the top performers in the lauded Class of 1995 - classmates included fellow Guild members David Nieuwoudt, Pierre Wahl, Dewaldt Heyns, and John Loubser.
Thrown into the thick o[ it, he showed himself more than capable. He was closely involved in the upgrade of the state-of-the-art winery located across the Eerste River from the Spier tourism and entertainment hub. It was designed to handle the small-scale vinification of Spier's premium wines, as well as the large-scale production of the export brand, Savanha, and Frans was game for the challenge of handling both.
Behind the easy-going, friendly exterior lies ambition, drive, and enormous energy. The man finds it difficult to sit still.
Lamb rib rack with lemon, rosemary and coriander rub recipe by Frans Smit served with caramelised boerpampoen paired with CWG Auction Reserv...
Marinated Gemsbok skewers recipe by Frans Smit served with Serve with Kalahari suikermielietert paired with Spier 21 Gables Pinotage....