Pieter Hugo
Pieter Hugo, well-known wine grape producer in the Slanghoek valley, passed away on July 2020.

The South African wine industry had to bid an iconic figure in the industry, and one of the founding members of Vinpro, farewell, over the past weekend. Pieter Hugo, well-known wine grape producer in the Slanghoek valley, passed away on 11 July 2020 due to pulmonary fibrosis.

“Pieter was one of the most respected producers in the industry, who with his keen business sense, set an example by not only talking, but by walking the talk. He leaves a great legacy behind as a visionary leader, mentor and friend,” says Vinpro chairman Anton Smuts. “Our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues in the industry.”

After obtaining a BSc Agriculture degree from Stellenbosch University, he returned to their family farm in the Slanghoek valley, where he gained valuable experience under the mentorship of his father, former KWV chairman Pietman Hugo.

In the 1980s he and his family moved to the old family farm Hugoskraal, after which he obtained a number of other farms in the Breedekloof valley that four of his five sons eventually took over under his mentorship.

In his more than 40 years in the wine industry, Pieter served on various boards, including the Breëriver Bottling Company, KWV, Arbelos Wines and Botha and Slanghoek cellars. His holistic outlook is reflected in his involvement on boards and councils of the Western Cape and South African agricultural unions, provincial and national water affairs committees and the former Cooperative Wine Cellars Committee.

However, Pieter played an even greater pioneering role in Vinpro’s history as part of the advisory committee that was tasked in 2002 to establish Vinpro. Following his retirement as a member of the Vinpro board, exco and financial committee in 2014, Pieter was honoured as an honorary member of Vinpro for his significant contribution to the South African wine industry.

“Pieter knew and understood the intricacies of the wine industry and always put the primary producer’s needs first. He was a man of few words who would first listen to all the arguments and give recognition to all the respective opinions, but when he gave his well thought-through input, it would make a big mark,” says Anton. “We will truly miss him.”