Johan Meyer
Johan Meyer, affectionately known as Stompy, is one of South Africa’s leading ‘new wave’ winemakers. He’s been making wine as a side business since 2008, and since 2015 has been full-time with his own venture, JH Meyer, as well as making Mother Rock and Force Celeste wines in partnership with UK natural wine importer Indigo Wine. Inspired by extensive travels to New Zealand, California and Burgundy, Johan Meyer has been exploring vineyards in the hopes of producing the best that South Africa has to offer, paying homage to the world’s most elite varieties: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Like most young winemakers these days, Johan is well travelled. He spent two years in California with the Trincero family in Napa Valley (of White Zin fame!) and at Tantara Winery in Bien Nacido, learning the ropes. He then returned to South Africa and spent time at Old Tony Bianco in the Tulbagh region and Mount Abora in Rieebek-Kasteel, where he still consults.
Johan was once asked who or who had most influenced his approach to winemaking - his answer was: "Winemakers need to learn both sides: commercial and exclusive production. The winemaker who has influenced me most is Tom Lubbe." Tom, another well-travelled South African, grew up in New Zealand, made wine in the Swartland, but settled in the south of France, in Roussillon. His biodynamically managed Domaine Matassa is something of a beacon in the world of natural wine, as he works with low-yielding old bush vines and traditional Mediterranean varieties. In 2014, Johan spent three months with Tom in the wine village of Calce, learning the importance of biodynamics in a holistic sense. The soil, the vineyards and the farming methods come together to influence not only the finished wine but also the people working on the estate: the alchemy of organic wines, if you will. He found this approach inspiring and still maintains a close relationship with Tom.
Johan founded his eponymous winery in 2011 and the first bottling took place in 2012. Created by nature and the “terroir”, the wines showcase the unique flavours and characteristics of the land from which they come. “I want to create honest and pure wines that showcase the terroir and the expression of the grapes, not the “hand of the winemaker”, but the hand and heart of the farmer!”
Like most young winemakers these days, Johan is well travelled. He spent two years in California with the Trincero family in Napa Valley (of White Zin fame!) and at Tantara Winery in Bien Nacido, learning the ropes. He then returned to South Africa and spent time at Old Tony Bianco in the Tulbagh region and Mount Abora in Rieebek-Kasteel, where he still consults.
Johan was once asked who or who had most influenced his approach to winemaking - his answer was: "Winemakers need to learn both sides: commercial and exclusive production. The winemaker who has influenced me most is Tom Lubbe." Tom, another well-travelled South African, grew up in New Zealand, made wine in the Swartland, but settled in the south of France, in Roussillon. His biodynamically managed Domaine Matassa is something of a beacon in the world of natural wine, as he works with low-yielding old bush vines and traditional Mediterranean varieties. In 2014, Johan spent three months with Tom in the wine village of Calce, learning the importance of biodynamics in a holistic sense. The soil, the vineyards and the farming methods come together to influence not only the finished wine but also the people working on the estate: the alchemy of organic wines, if you will. He found this approach inspiring and still maintains a close relationship with Tom.
Johan founded his eponymous winery in 2011 and the first bottling took place in 2012. Created by nature and the “terroir”, the wines showcase the unique flavours and characteristics of the land from which they come. “I want to create honest and pure wines that showcase the terroir and the expression of the grapes, not the “hand of the winemaker”, but the hand and heart of the farmer!”
