Fond memories of many school holidays spent on a family friend’s wine farm ignited a dream within the heart of young Mark Lindhorst. He decided he would own a wine farm – one day. And with his dream set firmly in place, Mark ambitiously set out to turn it into reality.
Without a farm in the family to inherit, and after heeding the wise counsel of a friend, he decided to ditch the idea of studying BSc Agriculture as that qualification wouldn’t earn enough to purchase his own farm. Instead, he proudly followed in his father’s footsteps and embarked in a career as a CA(SA). Mark’s father, Max Lindhorst, was a President of the Cape Society as well as the National Council of Chartered Accountants –SAICA’s predecessor.
While in university Mark kept his dream alive pursuing various courses in wine appreciation. And like fuel to the fire, his passion only grew. After qualifying as a CA(SA), Mark went on to become a Partner with Ernst & Young.
Finally, at the age of 40, Mark and his wife Belinda began the long-awaited search for the farm of their dreams. Only two years later, in 1996, did they find their treasure. Rather than a big name working wine farm that would have cost a fortune, they bought a run-down farm south of Paarl and set to work to make it their own.
For the next eight years Mark continued his professional life while funding the establishment of the vineyard and refurbishing the wine cellar.
The wine farm now proudly boasts Lindhorst Wines, which are highly rated and have won awards in South Africa and internationally. Its maiden 2002 vintage Shiraz received a gold medal from Decanter World Wine Awards and rated one of the top 10 Shirazes in the ‘New World’.
Thabo Mbeki delivered the keynote speech at SAICA’s 25th birthday dinner and only one red wine was served – Lindhorst Max’s Shiraz 2003, which Mark had made as a tribute to his father.
The winery’s tag line ‘Lindhorst Wines – Making a Statement’ works well. After all, it was the auditing of financial statements that made the farm possible…. ❐
Author: Lynn Grala.