It was a taste of some Burgundy Puligny-Montrachet that convinced Gyles Webb to lay down the calculator and abandon his accounting career in Durban to become a winemaker. Shortly after, he obtained a degree in Oenology at Stellenbosch University and after gaining some work experience abroad and in South Africa, Gyles and his wife’s family fell in love with a run-down old fruit farm called Thelema.
Gyles has always given meticulous attention to the vineyards, believing that grape quality is the single most important factor in serious winemaking. This persistent precision has paid off in awards for the best vineyards in Stellenbosch. His winemaking policy is one of “benign neglect” or minimum interference, with finings and filtrations kept to an absolute minimum. Gyles also believes in the use of premium wood and you will therefore find Thelema and Sutherland’s wines resting in quality French barrels.
In 2000, Gyles handed the reins of wine making to the talented Rudi Schultz and moved into the role of cellar master.
If Gyles is not in the office or in the cellar, he is out scrutinising the vineyards on the estate.