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RESPECTED winemaker and current chairman of the Cape Winemakers Guild, Philip Costandius, has hitched his wagon to the stars by launching his own winemaking venture following his departure last week from one of the region's most well-known estates, Lourensford in Somerset West.

Costandius, who ended a tenure of almost six years as cellarmaster at Lourensford Winery in Somerset West, will be making his own range of handcrafted wines under the Solo label and will assist smaller wine producers with their vineyard and winery management on a consulting basis.

Lourensford management says it will make an announcement regarding Costandius' position shortly.

Costandius has been a member of the Cape Winemakers Guild representing the pinnacle of South African winemakers, since 1988 and has been chairman of the Guild since 2006.

"Doing my own thing in wine has been in the pipeline for a long time and I believe the time is right to start my own venture now," said Costandius, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Oenology and Viticulture from Stellenbosch University.

At Lourensford, Costandius was at the helm during the commissioning of the new winery in 2003 and secured BRC and HACCP accreditation for management and best practice systems which he implemented in the cellar. Prior to joining Lourensford in December 2002, Costandius gained extensive experience in management and HR related matters at Neethlingshof Estate where he was entrusted with the winemaking as well as the management of the entire estate comprising 210 hectares under vines.

After commencing his winemaking career at Delheim Wines as assistant winemaker and later Cellar Master, Costandius participated in harvests and study tours in some of the world's foremost wine producing regions including France, Germany, Italy, Australia, California, Portugal and Spain.

Besides his many achievements and the multitude of trophies, double gold and gold medals his wines have garnered over the years, one of his most rewarding projects has been the establishment of a part time basis of a five-hectare vineyard on virgin soil in Vyeboom.

Costandius hopes to produce his first Solo wines in 2009.

Whilst volumes will be small to begin with, Costandius has a long-term strategy to own his own vineyard and winery that can handle between 70 and 100 tons of grapes for the production of his range of Solo wines.

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