Pepcor chairperson Dr. Christo Wiese
Dr. Christo Wiese
Dr Christo Wiese is perhaps best known as the chairperson of the Pepcor retail group. He is also a major shareholder in KWV and owner of wine farms Lanzerac and Lourensford. Interview by Jeanri-Tine van Zyl.
What was the first bottle of wine that all made sense and why?
A bottle of Lieberstein with my friends in Wilgenhof men's residence at Stellenbosch University. We just had fun.
What was your most memorable wine experience?
Having lunch in Monaco with Baronness Philippine de Rothschild and drinking her wine.
What wine that you have not yet tasted do you most want to?
One of those wines that appear on the winelist of some ridiculously expensive famous restaurants, priced at
£10 000 per bottle.
What was the last wine that you bought?
Lourensford Estate wines.
How big is your wine collection and where do you store it?
I have no private collection to speak of.
Which are your favourite South African wine producers?
Lanzerac and Lourensford, of course.
What was your most embarrassing moment to do with wine?
Drinking too much of the good stuff, on more than one occasion.
What do you like least about wine?
I like everything about wine.
What is your favourite meal?
A South African braai.
What are your favourite restaurants in South Africa?
I cannot name one above the other.
Which three people would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
Winston Churchill, Jan Smuts and George Washington
What is your current state of mind?
Happy and positive.
What is your most treasured possession?
My family.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My Mercedes.
How do you relax?
Going to my game farm in the Kalahari.
Who are your favourite writers?
A whole range.
Who are your favourite musicians?
Mozart and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Where did you spend your last holiday?
The French and Italian Rivieras.
What is your favourite city in the world and why?
Cape Town - it is the most beautiful city in the world!
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Understanding that there is no perfect happiness.
