Graham Beck, a pioneer of the South African wine industry, has died in London at the age of 80. The successful wine entrepreneur was undergoing treatment there for lung cancer. Beck first ventured into the wine industry when he acquired the Madeba Farm(Robertson)in 1983. Graham set new standards i nthe production of sparkling wines made according to the "Méthode Cap Classique" method (second fermentation in bottle, as in champagne). Later, wine estates in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch were added to the Graham Beck Wines portfolio. His last major investment was the takeover of the renowned Steenberg estate in Constantia, with its attached hotel. Graham Beck was also known for initiating and supporting social projects such as the "Graham and Rhona Beck Skills Centre" in Robertson. According to him, the greatest success in his life was "to provide employment to thousands of people, thus putting them in a position in which they could improve their lives".
(MW/press release)