Kobie Lochner is CEO of Noble Savage Investments (NSI), the holding company for Plaisir Wine Estate and Bartinney Private Cellars. Bartinney is exhibiting at CapeWine 2022 from 5-7 October 2022 at Stand C47, and Kobie will be a panellist at the formal seminar on Buying Biodiversity on 7 October.
Kobie Lochner, CEO of Noble Savage Investments
You were Chief Sales Officer at Graham Beck until recently. Has the move to Noble Savage Investments required a big mind shift?
The position at Noble Savage Investments has been a great opportunity to learn and develop. My role at Beck Family Estates, being responsible for sales, was something I felt quite comfortable doing. The new position covers all the different facets of the business, which made it necessary to ask many questions and learn quickly.
The move did not require a mind shift as such, but it did make me realise the value and importance of good quality people in a business. Strong leaders in key management positions certainly makes my role much easier.
What are your personal goals for the properties under Noble Savage Investments?
I am fortunate to work with brands that are well established, thanks to all the hard work people have done over many years. My goal is to build on this and ensure we continuously look for ways to improve the quality of our products.
At the same time, we need to make sure that we build a business that is sustainable, makes a positive contribution to the community, environment and can grow for generations to come.
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- Bartinney Private Cellar is set on the slopes of the Botmaskop alongside the Helshoogte Pass overlooking the Banhoek Valley in Stellenbosch.
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- The renovated Bartinney Tasting Shed, adorned with native fynbos from the farm nursery, has a terrace that offers a panoramic view over the valley.
Are there any new developments being planned?
It has been 18 months since Rose and Michael Jordaan acquired Plaisir Wine Estate and it is evident that they are committed to bringing the property to its rightful potential.
Many of the historical Cape Dutch buildings have been restored and turned into guest accommodation and hospitality areas, with the idea to welcome people back onto the estate with an abundance of opportunities for leisure and enjoyment.
A brand new restaurant will open its doors in December 2022, just in time for season.
A beautiful area surrounded by oak trees has been identified where celebrations like weddings will be hosted and lastly, continuous work is being done on expanding the network of nature trails at Plaisir for mountain bike and trail running enthusiasts to enjoy.
Plaisir Wine Estate is located on the east-facing slopes at the foot of the towering Simonsberg Mountain.
What are the biggest challenges facing local brands at the moment and what will be the key to recovery and long-term sustainability in the post-Covid era?
The extent of production cost increases will be challenging for many businesses. There is no clear evidence of when matters will improve either, which creates uncertainty and makes it more difficult to plan for the future.
Focus in terms of what products you would like to offer and which markets you are targeting. Secondly, ensure that your products are positioned in a way that will offer value to the customer.
What do you like to do outside working hours?
I enjoy spending time with my family, running along the beautiful trails in the Winelands and the occasional game of tennis and, of course, sampling the best wines South Africa has to offer.
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