The Old Diocesan Issue 13 - Magazine - Page 77
WINE
Bruce Jack Wines to do just that.
(See Issue 10.)
Label design logistics and
costs were carried by Bruce Jack
Wines, the wines were tasted and
reviewed by opinion makers within
the Bishops’ family, Wade Bales
distributed them to consumers
– and Bishops 175-anniversary
events were appropriately catered
for. None of the winemakers
covered their costs, of course,
but that wasn’t the point (and
such is the generosity of a wellmotivated OD).
“It was a fun, rewarding project,
but when the year had run its
course and the wines had been
enjoyed, it was over,” says Bruce.
“The built-in obsolescence of the
endeavour didn’t sit well with me.
I felt the project could do more
for Bishops.”
As a former trustee of the
Bishops Trust, Bruce is acutely
aware of the sustainability
challenge Bishops faces as an
institution. So, he approached
the school with a proposal to
craft a new, bespoke wine range
under a similar label, but with
100% of the profits being donated
to the Bishops Trust. “It works out
at only about R12 per bottle, but
it’s something.”
The school was receptive.
Bruce’s team designed a logo for
the Bishops Trust, tweaked the
label and regathered themselves
for the mission of making a whole
new range of wines. And Sir De
Villiers at De Grendel decided
to join them in the endeavour.
“The complexities of producing
a sustainable range of wines are
extensive,” says Bruce. “Doing so
with the intention of crafting
delicious wine in small volumes
and at a great price complicates
things further. But the real kicker
is asking one’s staff to do the
heavy lifting when they know
the work doesn’t contribute
to the bottom line – there were
grumblings of mutiny, which
had to be quelled with bribes
and sweet talk.
“But we got there in the end.
Thanks are due to the teams at
Bruce Jack Wines and De Grendel
estate who, with no emotional
attachment to Bishops, have
committed their time and
passion to this project. As ODs,
we sometimes forget how much
is contributed and sacrificed by
others for the benefit of Bishops.”
As of September this year, there
are five Bishops Wines: a 2025
Sauvignon Blanc and 2022 Merlot
from De Grendel, and a 2025 Chenin
Blanc, 2020 Pinotage and 2024
Zeta’s Syrah from Bruce Jack
Wines. A rosé and a “funky red
blend” are in the offing, to be
followed next year by a range
of Reserve wines that will be
smartly packaged, ideal for
auctions and as gifts.
The wines are available for
purchase by ODs and parents via
the Wine of the Month website, and
parents, staff and ODs will hopefully
be tasting them at functions and
celebrations at the school and
The Mitre for many years to come.
“Time will tell whether we can
continue to create interesting,
characterful wines that represent
superior quality for the price and
contribute to the Bishops Trust,”
says Bruce. “It’s a difficult ask,
but that’s our goal.”
FROM LEFT The first Bishops wines
(with more to come): 2022 Merlot
from De Grendel, 2020 Pinotage and
2024 Zeta’s Syrah from Bruce Jack
Wines, 2025 Sauvignon Blanc from
De Grendel, and 2025 Chenin Blanc
from Bruce Jack Wines. Scan the
QR code below to order.
THE OLD DIOCESAN | 73
