Charles Back wins lifetime achievement award

This years IWC lifetime achievement award went to South African vineyard owner Charles Back. The owner of Fairview cheese and wine was
recognised by the panel for his work in introducing Viognier, Tempranillo, Tannat, Sangiovese and Petite Sirah to South Africa; in pioneering the Swartland Revolution; in shaping the future of wine tourism in South Africa through the introduction of artisanal cheese and the establishment of the Spice Route Destination in Paarl; and in being the first to afford land and company ownership to previously disadvantaged wine farm workers; to name but a few of his many seminal achievement. Charles follows in the footsteps of Dr Richard Smart, and the wine writer Hugh Hugh Johnson

In 2012 it was in it's 30th yea but the Lifetime
Achievement award had only been offered twice before, both to
distinguished winery proprietors, in 2011 to Miguel Torres of Spain and
in 2012 to Sir George Fistonich of New Zealand.