Charles Back

Career and winemaking philosophy

Charles Back studied winemaking at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch. He officially joined his family's company in 1978 and took over full control in 1995 after his father, Cyril, died. Following the fall of Apartheid in South Africa and the lifting of economic sanctions, Back initiated marketing and sales on the international market. Back is also the owner of The Goats do Roam Wine Company, which has been the highest selling South African wine brand in the United States since its introduction in 2000. He also owns The Spice Route Winery which is a wine cellar in the Swartland region of the Western Cape.

Back has brought a number of new grape varietals to South Africa and is one of the country's original Rhône Rangers. He was the first producer to plant Viognier vineyards in the country, and has the largest plantings of Mourvèdre. Back also bottled South Africa's first single varietal Petite Sirah. He is of the opinion that the majority of South African vineyards should be planted to more Mediterranean and Rhône style varietals, as opposed to the Bordeaux ones that have typically been favoured.

Back is responsible for building The Goat Tower at Fairview, which is now recognised around the world as a symbol for not only Fairview, but the Paarl and South African winelands. He incorporated the goat tower into his labels and the tale of the origin of The Goats do Roam Wine Company.

Back is also recognised for his commitment to social development within the previously disadvantaged communities affiliated to the South African wine industry. In 1997 he initiated the establishment of The Fairvalley Workers Association which seeks to provide land ownership to Fairview workers and their families. Back purchased a piece of land adjacent to his Fairview property, using his personal funds, as well as a grant from the South African government. This 16 hectare piece of land was given to the association. He also assisted with the development of the Fairvalley wine brand which is owned by the workers association. This was one of the first such arrangements in South Africa and the funds raised through the sale of Fairvalley wines were used to build eight houses for founding members of the association. Plans are currently in progress to develop the land further through the establishment of the Fairvalley eco-village.

Other achievements

In April 2006, South African WINE Magazine voted Back the second most influential person in the South African wine industry, after Nelson Mandela.

In 2007 Back was nominated as one of UK publication Harpers most influential personalities in the wine industry

The KWV appointed Back onto their advisory winemaking committee in 2007, tasked with assisting the company with their quality and production strategy.