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— The Winemaker
One winemaker, two estates, one standard
Johann Fourie is the Cellar Master at both Benguela Cove and Leonardslee Family Vineyards, bringing over two decades of expertise to both. His understanding of each estate's distinct climate and soil lets him craft wines that express the true essence of the land from the cool-climate wines of Walker Bay to the elegant offerings of Sussex.
Introduced to viticulture during his agriculture studies at Elsenburg in Stellenbosch, Johann fell in love with growing vines and making wines "partly through chemistry and microbiology, but also with artistry." He went on to become winemaker at Badsberg in the Breede River Valley, and in 2006 joined South African giant KWV, where he rose to Chief Winemaker.
In 2015 he was named Diners Club Winemaker of the Year South Africa's most coveted winemaking honour. His experience spans the French and wider European wine regions, as well as Canada, the United States and Australia, and he has long served on competition judging panels.
— A Steep Learning Curve
Doing the opposite of South Africa
Around 2016, Johann sensed where wine was heading: "I think the next big thing in the world of wine is going to be English Sparkling." Penny was convinced, and the team identified their preferred Sussex plot within months.The new climate demanded a new playbook. "In England you have to plant on southern slopes, keep trees to trap heat, and have permanent cover beneath the vines to get rid of excess water" the reverse of Cape practice. In the winery, it is all about taming high acidity and bolstering sometimes-meagre sugar levels, problems rarely seen in the Cape.His ethos is to convey terroir rather than personality: "We want a unique identity and personality from what are seen as marginal sites." Whatever is poured into the glass should take you back to its origins.
Introduced to viticulture during his agriculture studies at Elsenburg in Stellenbosch, Johann fell in love with growing vines and making wines "partly through chemistry and microbiology, but also with artistry." He went on to become winemaker at Badsberg in the Breede River Valley, and in 2006 joined South African giant KWV, where he rose to Chief Winemaker.
In 2015 he was named Diners Club Winemaker of the Year South Africa's most coveted winemaking honour. His experience spans the French and wider European wine regions, as well as Canada, the United States and Australia, and he has long served on competition judging panels.
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To bridge the gap between the science and the artistry of making wine and to reflect that in every bottle we produce.
Johann Fourie Cellar Master
English sparkling wine grown on the ancient Wealden soils of West Sussex. Estate grown, estate made. An award-winning debut in the World's 50 Best Vineyards 2025.
English sparkling wine grown on the ancient Wealden soils of West Sussex. Estate grown, estate made. An award-winning debut in the World's 50 Best Vineyards 2025.