Team

DAVID TRAFFORD

"…understanding and working with the vineyard to coax something magical from the land, after that it's hold thumbs you don't cock it up in the cellar."

"I never chose winemaking as a profession - it was thrust upon me. I chose Architecture as a profession, but live on land with such great vineyard potential, it was impossible not to get involved in the wine business."

A working knowledge of winemaking gleaned from local winemakers, a vintage spent at St Emilion and David's own practical experience has ensured a small but steady flow of wines of increasing sophistication.

With an acute appreciation of nature and sense of time and place, David is also disarmingly shy, humorous, and honest. When not making wine he goes to physio to repair his back, he walks in the mountains, jogs, swims, plays tennis, squash and golf.

RITA TRAFFORD
Rita studied fine art at Stellenbosch University for 2 years before switching from visual to olfactory art and graduating from local Cordon Bleu cookery school - Silwood Kitchen. Both go a long way to adding visual and sensorial flair to the De Trafford Wines. When not looking after the kids, Nicholas and Rosalyn, Rita helps with the general running of the winery and pursuing her passion for painting, which you can catch a glimpse of at "paintings".

MAVIS TRAFFORD
Keeps a close eye on the Mont Fleur vineyards as if it was an extension of her beautiful garden which surrounds the winery. Looks after the financial affairs of the winery, but is best known as the most elegant delivery lady in the industry. Balances her time between the shipping warehouses, wine shops and shopping malls of Cape Town, while happily doing the delivery rounds.

HENDRY HESS
"Maitre de Chais" - Hendry oversees and implements virtually every aspect of the production process with great care and dedication. Hendry has completed SKOP 1 & 2 cellar assistant courses at Elsenberg College, the CWA preliminary wine course and completed the 2 month Beaune Academy Course in Burgundy, France in 2003. Hendry also helps out with sales and tastings.

ASTRID BEYERS
At least on most mornings we have some sort of semblance of order in the admin. and sales department! The amount of admin. work generated by a small winery is quite amazing. Astrid's sterling work and enthusiasm for computers, faxes and other techno office gadgets has enabled the winemaker to focus more on growing and making wine.

HENRY HESS
Father of Hendry and our general vineyard foreman. Henry has worked for the Trafford family since 1977 and takes great pride in every aspect of the vineyard. His enthusiasm and work ethic is infectious and contributes to our ability to produce great fruit.

JANETTE FORTUIN
Our fast and enthusiastic vineyard and winery worker. Helps with all the pruning, suckering, canopy management, picking, bottling, labelling, packing and general vineyard and winery work.

CLARINA DUNSTON
Assists both in the winery and the vineyard. Helps with all the pruning, suckering, canopy management, picking, bottling, labelling, packing and general vineyard and winery work.

KAREL ENDLY
Assists Henry with vineyard management throughout the year, and helps out in the winery during harvest as well as with bottling as needed.

JULIANA POTBERG
Looks after the Garden Cottage and other domestic work, but helps with vineyard and winery work during harvest.

PH / FAX +27 21 880 1611  |    |  PO Box 495, Stellenbosch 7599