Conrad Louw
Speciality
Wines & SpiritsPosition
Cape Wine Master, Wine Educator, and Wine & Spirits Judge
Conrad Louw is a Cape Wine Master, wine educator, and experienced wine and spirits judge with a strong record of contribution to South Africa’s wine industry. He matriculated in Pretoria and completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Stellenbosch University before building a successful corporate career in the pharmaceutical industry, ultimately serving as General Manager for Southern Africa at a leading multinational corporation.
His interest in wine developed into a serious professional pursuit through studies at the Cape Wine Academy, where he qualified as a Cape Wine Master in 2013, the highest qualification in South African wine education. His academic paper focused on Sherry, reflecting an early interest in fortified wines and technical wine assessment. He later served as Chairman of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters, reinforcing his commitment to education, professional standards, and leadership within the wine community.
Conrad is deeply involved in wine education and lectures across several levels at the Cape Wine Academy. He presents a broad range of wine and spirits topics and conducts tutored tastings for Diploma and Cape Wine Master candidates, combining theoretical knowledge with practical tasting discipline.
As a judge, Conrad has served on panels for leading South African competitions including Michelangelo, Terroir, Veritas, Vitis Vinifera, and others, as well as international judging assignments in France. He is experienced in evaluating still and sparkling wines across a broad range of cultivars, regions, and styles, bringing consistency, technical insight, and a well-calibrated palate to the judging process.
His judging experience also extends to spirits, where he has particular enthusiasm for gin, brandy, whisky, and liqueurs. Conrad’s combination of formal qualification, extensive tasting experience, educational depth, and international exposure enables him to contribute meaningfully to judging panels and to communicate quality with clarity and confidence.
Above all, he remains passionate about sharing the joy of wine appreciation and helping others explore, understand, and celebrate the world of wine and spirits.
His interest in wine developed into a serious professional pursuit through studies at the Cape Wine Academy, where he qualified as a Cape Wine Master in 2013, the highest qualification in South African wine education. His academic paper focused on Sherry, reflecting an early interest in fortified wines and technical wine assessment. He later served as Chairman of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters, reinforcing his commitment to education, professional standards, and leadership within the wine community.
Conrad is deeply involved in wine education and lectures across several levels at the Cape Wine Academy. He presents a broad range of wine and spirits topics and conducts tutored tastings for Diploma and Cape Wine Master candidates, combining theoretical knowledge with practical tasting discipline.
As a judge, Conrad has served on panels for leading South African competitions including Michelangelo, Terroir, Veritas, Vitis Vinifera, and others, as well as international judging assignments in France. He is experienced in evaluating still and sparkling wines across a broad range of cultivars, regions, and styles, bringing consistency, technical insight, and a well-calibrated palate to the judging process.
His judging experience also extends to spirits, where he has particular enthusiasm for gin, brandy, whisky, and liqueurs. Conrad’s combination of formal qualification, extensive tasting experience, educational depth, and international exposure enables him to contribute meaningfully to judging panels and to communicate quality with clarity and confidence.
Above all, he remains passionate about sharing the joy of wine appreciation and helping others explore, understand, and celebrate the world of wine and spirits.
