The 36th Veritas Awards, widely regarded as the “Oscars of the Wine Industry”, on Saturday 10 October continued a tradition of recognising individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the South African wine and brandy sectors.

Four industry figures received the 2026 Living Legends Scroll of Honour for their long-standing dedication and passion: Loftie Ellis, Edmund Lakey, Altus le Roux and Mark Norrish.

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Loftie Ellis: Passion for teaching

Ellis holds a degree in Viniculture from Stellenbosch University (SU) and spent his early career researching wine chemistry at Nietvoorbij before lecturing at SU and Elsenburg. Teaching was his true calling, and he consistently emphasised practical training and student development.

He considered the later success of his students more meaningful than his own accolades.

For the past two decades, Ellis has run Wine Quality Consultants, offering technical expertise across the full spectrum of winemaking – from pre-bottling evaluation and fault identification to arbitration, insurance assessments, and expert testimony in legal proceedings.

He is also a recognised authority on witblits and mampoer, having served as chiefjudge at the Mampoer Festival for 40 years. His combined contribution to education and wine quality marks him as an exceptional industry figure.

Edmund Lakey: Rooted in cellar

Lakey came to the wine world from a background in teaching. In 1993 he joined SU’s Department of Viticulture as cellar technical officer, beginning a career that would span 31 years.

Working alongside respected academics including Prof Joël Van Wyk, Ellis and Charl Theron, Lakey oversaw the university’s experimental cellar and supported undergraduate and postgraduate students in practical winemaking.

For generations of students, the cellar was where theory became hands-on reality – where precision, discipline, and patience were learnt under Lakey’s guidance. He mentored countless young winemakers, many of whom were present at the Veritas Gala Dinner.

He also played a central role in producing wines for Vititec and building ties between the university cellar and the wider industry. Lakey d retired in 2024 after 31 years of service, but his influence on viticultural education endures through the professionals he helped shape.

Altus le Roux: Accolades aplenty

Le Roux qualified in cellar technology at Elsenburg and later completed management development studies at SU’s business school. After holding several winemaking positions, he joined Boland International, where he spent 17 years as managing director.

His tenure included nine years on the Wine and Spirit Board’s Technical Committee and four years chairing the Elsenburg alumni body, EKOV. He judged regularly at the SA Young Wine Show, Veritas and the SA Terroir Wine Awards.

Le Roux’s international record is formidable. In 2001 he received the Robert Mondavi Trophy as International Winemaker of the Year at the IWSC in London, along with the Dave Hughes Trophy and awards for best cabernet sauvignon and best shiraz.

He claimed best shiraz again in 2003, best overseas producer and best overseas red wine at Mundus Vini in 2005, and best South African producer at Selections Mondiales des Vins Canada in 2007. His career includes 12 international trophies, over 50 gold medals, 12 Veritas Double Golds, 13 Veritas Golds, the 2008 General Smuts Trophy, and the Pietman Hugo Trophy in 1999 and 2002.

Perhaps his most lasting contribution was reshaping the perception that cooperative wineries could only deliver high-volume, average-quality wine, proving instead that they could produce well-packaged, market-driven wines of genuine quality.

Mark Norrish: Extensive retail experience

Norrish built a four-decade career in South African wine and spirit retail. He joined Shoprite Checkers in 1991, becoming national wine Buyer a year later. Over seven years he turned wine into a destination category for the group, launching the Oddbins brand and emerging as the biggest spender at the Nederburg and Cape Wine Guild auctions.

After spells with Engen Quick Shops and Picardi Rebel Wines, he returned to national buying in 2007 as national wine general manager at Ultra Liquors, a position he held for 13 years. There he repeated his formula, growing the wine range from a sideline into a genuine destination for value-conscious consumers.

In 2010 he introduced the Secret Cellar and Top Secret ranges, which went on to win numerous trophies, gold medals, and Double Gold awards.

Norrish also blended hands-on with winemaking teams and opened his home cellar as an informal tasting venue for emerging winemakers – among them a young Eben Sadie and Adi Badenhorst, long before their names became iconic.

A fellow judge once told him: “It takes the producer many years to create that wine, so please give it more than just a couple of minutes when you judge it.” That advice shaped both his judging on Veritas and other panels and his patient, curiosity-driven approach to building wine categories and communities over four decades.

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