Duncan's own label, Savage Wines, is on the cards. Says the laid-back young winemaker, averse to any hint of self-aggrandizement: 'It's not about me, it's just that Savage is such a good, strong word.'
He rents cellar space from Cape Point Vineyards for his own-label wines, currently mooted to be two blends: a white and red. For helping him find interesting vineyards yielding top-quality fruit, he lauds good friend Rosa Kruger, former Cape Point Vineyards' viticulturist and now a wide-ranging consultant.
'Through her, I've found some great sites: up the West Coast; Kaaimansgat in Villiersdorp, where I also have my eye on another spot; a nice little vineyard in Elim.' As for reds, he sources widely from Constantia through to the Cederberg.
He’s also intent on helping his wife Zani convert her cooking skills into a commercial food venture. Called Something Savage, it's a small business supplying homemade specialities.
'Her whole family is into food: her Aunt Ann, who’s married to Oom Swepie le Roux of Domein Doornkraal; her sister Paula Nel, who’s a private chef in the United States. I'm no cook; Zani’s the one. Her peri-peri chicken is my favourite. And her chilli jam, on burgers or with steak: mmm! She also does specialities like fudge and roasted macadamia nuts from her dad’s farm in Mpumalanga.'
Duncan admits to not eating out as much as he used to, but as a winemaker, he still enjoys doing food and wine pairings at eateries, such as Franck Dangereux's The Foodbarn in Noordhoek.
'He's a great guy, we have a good time, I love it. But nowadays I like to be at home with friends, Zani and the kids [small daughters Anna and Kate]. Zani makes some good food, I open a couple of bottles of my wine... that's the life.'
And surfing remains an integral part of that life. 'My favourite surfing spots are up the West Coast and around Kommetjie. My two garden destroyers [Rhodesian ridgebacks Bubesi and Moyo] usually come with me. They hang out quite happily while I'm in the water. Bubesi is huge but such a softie: Anna tends to use him as a footstool to get anything out of reach.'
The couple enjoys their home in Stonehaven, a Noordhoek Valley housing estate with beautiful sea views developed by Van der Spuy on land found unsuitable for planting vines. 'It's got a laid-back beach house feel and the neighbours all get along. The wind does howl though; sometimes the whole house shakes.'
The couple was one of the first to move in, around 2007. It was before the naming of the streets, when the time came were each designated a specific grape variety. 'And what were the chances of us landing up living on the corner of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon?!'
Amid the pressures, thrills and ever-changing demands of tending vines under extreme weather conditions and making consistently acclaimed wines, there is one date (other than the annual Vintners Surf Classic!) that is non-negotiable on her husband's calendar, says Zani. 'It's when Dunc and his dad Peter take Anna and Kate to Noddy's Christmas Party in Rondebosch. I think they have more fun than the kids!'
Upon which the invariably light-hearted Duncan muses somewhat introspectively: 'My dad and I have a great relationship, he is a total legend: we've got a real father-son thing going, although we're so different: I'm totally loskop [disorganised]. I think he's pretty pleased with the way I've turned out...'
Gourmet beef burger recipe by Duncan Savage served with oven-roasted rosemary potatoes and paired with Cape Point Sauvignon Blanc Reserve wi...
Peri-peri chicken recipe by cellar master Duncan Savage served with Serve couscous and paired with Cape Point Isliedh wine....