The Owner
Hannes Myburgh, eighth generation owner of Meerlust, graduated from the University of Stellenbosch with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in French and English in 1982, before studying winemaking at Geisenheim in Germany. Hannes worked at Chateau Lafite in France and Von Oetinger in Germany.
The Cellarmaster /Managing Director
Wim Truter was appointed Cellar Master/Manager at Meerlust in May 2020. Wim holds a degree in Chemistry, Oenology and Viticulture from the University of Stellenbosch. He then pursued the international MSc Vintage qualification in Vine, Wine and Terroir Management that included stints studying at the Ecole Superieur d’Agriculture, Angers, France, the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy and the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia in Valencia Spain. He is assisted by winemaker Altus Treurnicht and the cellar team and in the vineyards by viticulturist Izak Basson and his team.
The Winemaker
Our winemaker Altus Treurnicht grew up on the Cape west coast. He completed his winemaking studies at Elsenburg Agricultual College in 2005, after which he worked a harvest in 2006 in Sonoma County, and in 2009 in St Emillion. In 2007, he achieved his diploma in viticulture. Altus was appointed as assistant winemaker under Chris Williams, and later rejoined as winemaker in 2018. He is assisted in the cellar by a proficient cellar team, and works jointly with viticulturist Izak Basson.
The Viticulturist
Izak Basson joined Meerlust in 2015, and worked under our late Viticulturist, Roelie Joubert. Originally from Pieketberg, his love for farming started during his school going career. Although he began his studies in teaching at CPUT in Wellington, he changed over to Agricultural studies in his second year. Izak graduated with a diploma in Agriculture from CPUT in 2010, after which he farmed with table grapes for a few seasons before moving over to wine.
The Sales & Marketing Manager
Deidre Taylor joined Meerlust in 2024, after 10 years as head of sales and marketing for Kanonkop Wine Estate. Deidre graduated from Stellenbosch University with a degree in Industrial Psychology, and went on to complete her Cape Wine Academy Diploma in 2008, as well as the Wine & Spirit Education trust DipWSET in 2023. She is assisted by Esmé Nothanagel (export logistics) and Trish Lombard (tasting room).
