A South African winemaker who has spent more than 40 years perfecting traditional-method sparkling wine will be recognised by the international wine industry next month.

Pieter Ferreira will receive the International Wine Challenge (IWC) Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony in London on 7 September. He becomes only the second South African to receive the prestigious honour.

Ferreira, known in the wine world as “Mr Bubbles”, has been instrumental in establishing Cap Classique as a recognised category on the international wine stage.

From Franschhoek to global recognition

Ferreira began his career in 1984 when he joined Achim von Arnim at Pierre Jourdan in Franschhoek, South Africa’s first specialist Cap Classique producer. After working harvests in Champagne, he joined Graham Beck in 1990.

During more than three decades at Graham Beck, Ferreira helped establish the Robertson-based house as one of the world’s leading producers of premium traditional-method sparkling wine outside of France.

His wines have featured at significant historical moments. Graham Beck Cap Classique made under his leadership was served at Nelson Mandela’s presidential inauguration in 1994 and at Barack Obama’s election celebration in 2008.

Ferreira retired from Graham Beck earlier this year, handing over the cellar to long-time colleague Pierre de Klerk. He now runs his own venture, Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique, with his wife Ann.

Category recognition

Ferreira said he views the award as recognition not only of his work but of the entire Cap Classique category.

“I am incredibly humbled and honoured to receive this global acknowledgement from the IWC,” he said. “But I see this award as also being apt recognition of Cap Classique, the sparkling wine gem of the Cape, and everyone who has contributed to its development.”

Cap Classique, South Africa’s name for traditional-method sparkling wine, was first produced in the country 55 years ago in 1971. The category has since grown to become one of South Africa’s leading wine styles.

Industry contribution

IWC co-chair Jamie Goode said it was rare for one person to come to define an entire wine category.

“Pieter Ferreira, who has just retired from more than three decades heading up celebrated South African sparkling wine producer Graham Beck, has done this,” Goode said. “During his tenure, this category of wine has grown significantly.”

Beyond his cellar work, Ferreira has served as chairperson of the Cap Classique Producers Association. His international experience includes five vintages in California with Jackson Family Wines and establishing Graham Beck’s presence in the United Kingdom.

Ferreira attributed the success of Cap Classique to South Africa’s diverse terroirs, which provide the natural acidity and freshness required for traditional-method sparkling wine.

“South Africa’s ability to produce world-class Cap Classique begins in its vineyards,” he said. “The region’s diverse landscapes and distinctive terroirs provide the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other varieties with the natural acidity, freshness, fruit purity and balance demanded by traditional-method sparkling wine.”

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