Ernie Els is one of the most successful golfers ever, having won more than 65 tournaments since turning professional in 1989 and inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. His victories includes two U.S. Opens, two Open Championships and a record seven World Matchplay titles. This passion for excellence on the golf course also carries over to his life off the course as well. In addition to playing golf, Els also has a design company, Ernie Els Design, that is committed to creating classic golf courses of distinction through sustainable development and green environmental practice – many of his courses have won prestigious awards. The Els Club Dubai was named the “Best New International Course” in 2009 by Links Magazine and won the CNBC Property Award for “Best Golf Course, Dubai.” It was also runner-up in Golf Inc.’s “International Development of the Year” rankings.
Els also runs the very successful Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation (EEFF) with the purpose of identifying and assisting young talented individuals in golf, predominantly from families of limited resources and to deliver to them educational assistance and playing opportunities in order to produce successful young leaders and develop their playing ability to its full potential. This foundation has already produced two major champions: Louis Oosthuizen, who won the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews by seven shots and Charl Schwartzel, who won the 2011 Masters. Ernie also founded the Els for Autism Foundation in 2009, with the goal of funding an Autism Center of Excellence, the first of its kind in the world.
But in this post, we’re going to be focusing on Ernie Els Wines. This has been a business of Els’ since 2000, and in 2004, a 72 hectare property on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain was chosen to be the home of Ernie Els Wines. Currently, there are eight wines that are offered in the Ernie Els Wines portfolio, with the Ernie Els Signature being the flagship wine. In addition there are five other reds – the Ernie Els Proprietor’s Blend, the Big Easy, the Ernie Els Proprietor’s Syrah, the Ernie Els Cabernet Sauvignon and the Ernie Els Merlot – plus two white wines in the form of the Ernie Els Big Easy white, a light Chenin Blanc, and the Ernie Els Sauvignon Blanc. More recently, Ernie Els Wines has partnered with the PGA of South Africa and became the new official wine for the Association.
It’s not just about the wine though – through Ernie Els Wines, a great concept was born out of wine, golf and the wild. The Ernie Els’ African Experience will offer the travelers the opportunity to discover and explore the majestic African continent and what it has to offer. In combining Golf, Wine and Safaris in Africa, they provide a very unique experience. Ernie Els Wines offers a unique trip with Pierre Vorster Safari’s to anywhere in Africa, golf lessons and rounds with pro golfer, Des Terblanche, on one of Ernie’s personal signature golf courses as well as a trip to the Ernie Els Wine Estate in Stellenbosch for a tour and wine tasting experience. You’ll also get to dine at Ernie’s showcase restaurant, “The Big Easy,” to end the trip and South African experience.
There have also been other golfers to get involved with the wine industry, including David Frost, John Daly, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Christy O’Connor Jr., Retief Goosen, Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Cristie Kerr and Luke Donald.
Source: Ernie Els Wines, Ernie Els
