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Graham Beck: 40 Years of Fine Sparkling Wine

December 3, 2023

3 mins read

Graham Beck is a top producer of Cap Classique, South Africa’s version of Champagne, and competes with other sparkling wines worldwide. With two cellar masters in its four-decade history, Graham Beck has received numerous awards and accolades, including the world’s best sparkling wine. The House’s philosophy is to create the most refined and consistent effervescence, which reflects their dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.

Graham Beck has become a leading producer of Cap Classique, South Africa’s sparkling wine counterpart to Champagne. The House has a significant presence in over 40 countries and competes with Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and Sekt. With only two cellar masters in its four-decade history, Graham Beck has received many awards and accolades, including the world’s best sparkling wine at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Graham Beck’s philosophy is the cornerstone of their relentless journey towards creating the most refined and consistent effervescence.

Graham Beck celebrates its 40th anniversary as a premier producer of sparkling wines. Founded in 1983, the House has solidified its place as a frontrunner in crafting Cap Classique, South Africa’s sparkling wine counterpart to France’s Champagne. The winemaker’s dedication to quality and sustainability is unwavering, having notably shaped the industry’s terrain.

Rising to Global Prominence

Spanning forty years, Graham Beck has carved a distinct presence for itself in the global wine market. The House is recognized as a leading producer of Cap Classique not only in South Africa but worldwide, with a significant presence in the United Kingdom and the United States. Presently, Graham Beck’s products grace the shelves in over 40 countries, where Cap Classique competes with Champagne. It also stands as a competitively priced replacement for Prosecco, Cava, and Sekt.

Pieter Ferreira, Graham Beck’s Chief Operations Officer and founding winemaker, recollects the House’s conception. He remembers Graham Beck standing under a starlit sky in Robertson, just outside Cape Town, in 1983. Beck was filled with the resolve to craft South Africa’s premier bottle-fermented sparkling wine.

In the early 1980s, Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek were already recognized wine-producing regions. However, Graham Beck was among the trailblazers who recognized the potential of the lesser-known Robertson region. Beck’s vision led him to foresee that sparkling wine varieties would flourish in the limestone-rich soils and significant diurnal shift in Robertson – conditions similar to those in Champagne.

The Legacy of the Cellar Master

Pieter Ferreira, appointed as the Cellar Master in 1990, directed the first harvest for Graham Beck in 1991. This was quite literally conducted under the stars, given that the cellar roof was not yet in place. Today, Pierre De Klerk, the present Cellar Master, holds the reins. De Klerk, who was groomed by Ferreira for over a decade, along with the experienced vineyard and cellar crew, are charged with upholding the consistent House style that Graham Beck is renowned for.

Graham Beck’s unwavering commitment to their craft and team is apparent in the fact that there have only been two cellar masters in its four-decade history. This passion for mastery has not gone unnoticed, with the House receiving many awards and accolades.

Achievements and Philosophy

Among their notable accolades, the Graham Beck NV Brut was selected as the drink to commemorate Nelson Mandela’s election as South Africa’s first democratically elected president and toast to Barack Obama’s acceptance speech in 2008. The 2009 Blanc de Blancs clinched the trophy for the world’s best sparkling wine at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Adding to the House’s commitment to excellence, the Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2018 and Extra Brut 157 received the esteemed 5-star rating in the 2024 Platters by Diners Club Wine Guide.

Reflecting on the House’s philosophy, Pieter Ferreira stated, ‘There are approximately a million bubbles in every glass. So, does the ‘perfect bubble’ truly exist? Whether it is a tangible goal or just a wishful thought, at Graham Beck, it is the cornerstone of our philosophy. This phrase encapsulates our relentless journey towards creating the most refined and consistent effervescence. It symbolizes our dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to quality. It mirrors our ambition to excel in our field. That’s a conviction we uphold a million times over.’

1. What is Graham Beck known for producing?

Graham Beck is known for producing Cap Classique, which is South Africa’s version of Champagne.

2. How does Graham Beck compete in the global sparkling wine market?

Graham Beck competes with other sparkling wines worldwide, including Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and Sekt.

3. How many cellar masters has Graham Beck had in its history?

Graham Beck has had two cellar masters in its four-decade history.

4. What awards has Graham Beck won?

Graham Beck has won numerous awards and accolades, including the world’s best sparkling wine at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

5. What is Graham Beck’s philosophy?

Graham Beck’s philosophy is to create the most refined and consistent effervescence, which reflects their dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.

6. Where can Graham Beck’s products be found?

Graham Beck’s products can be found in over 40 countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States.

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