The South African business mogul with his own sparkling wine

Graham Beck was a pioneering South African business mogul, coal magnate, and philanthropist whose legacy lives on in the sparkling wine chosen for Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela’s inaugurations. 

Beck was known for his bold ambitions and his unique ability to transform unconventional ideas into thriving enterprises. His journey from coal mines to vineyards left a lasting mark on South Africa’s wine industry.

Born in December 1929 in Firgrove, Western Cape, Beck was encouraged by his stockbroker father to explore the coal industry after earning his commerce degree at the University of Cape Town. 

He began by acquiring smaller mines overlooked by larger companies, a move that eventually grew into one of the country’s largest private coal operations. In 1957, he founded the Kangra Group.

According to TimesLive, he even became a rival to mining giant Anglo American, whose management reportedly found him a “thorn in their side” as he ran circles around their coal division.

In 2002, he chose Cyril Ramaphosa—the leader of the National Union of Mineworkers at the time—as his empowerment partner. Four years later, Beck sold his coal interests to Spanish power utility Fenosa for R1 billion.

Today, Kangra has maintained its reputation for consistent quality and secure supply, making it a preferred supplier for power producers abroad. 

Its stake in the Richards Bay Coal Terminal and proximity to the port further enhances the mine’s export capacity. 

Having made his mark in the mining sector, Beck shifted into winemaking, which came about thanks to his passion for horse breeding. 

After the devastating Laingsburg floods in 1981, he purchased the Madeba farm in Robertson in the Western Cape, which he initially intended for breeding horses. 

However, he soon recognized that the limestone-rich soil of the region, ideal for raising horses, was also perfectly suited for growing grapes, particularly those used in sparkling wines. 

Mail & Guardian reported that Beck’s efforts transformed the small town of Robertson, putting it “on the viticultural map” as South Africa’s answer to Champagne. 

Graham Beck Wines explained that Beck, always up for a challenge, declared that the estate’s flagship would be none other than a sparkling wine. 

Luckily, the area proved ideal for cultivating Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, two of the three Cap Classique varieties.

Beck’s sparkling wine eventually became internationally celebrated. TimesLive reported that his wine marked historic occasions like Nelson Mandela’s 1994 inauguration and Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential inauguration.

Today, Graham Beck Cap Classique is considered one of the country’s finest Cap Classique sparkling wines and a serious contender in the international wine arena.

In 1989, Beck took a major step in establishing his wine business by purchasing Douglas Green Bellingham. This move gave him access to a robust distribution network, a rare advantage in South Africa’s budding wine industry. 

With the acquisition, Beck gained an edge over other local wine producers who often struggled to bring their wines to market. 

According to Mail & Guardian, this allowed him to expand his wine empire further with strategic purchases of vineyards in Franschhoek and the Steenberg estate in Constantia, transforming these properties into world-class wine estates.

In addition to his business ventures, Beck was also heavily involved in philanthropic efforts, and social responsibility was at the core of the mogul’s values. 

In 2009, Beck and his wife Rhona founded the Graham and Rhona Beck Skills Centre near Madeba.

Mail & Guardian explained that this centre formed part of their extensive social development initiative, which aimed to provide skills training to uplift the local farming community. 

Beck also often discreetly donated to other causes, with TimesLive reporting that he once replaced a hijacked school bus without the school knowing its benefactor.

Beck passed away in July 2010 in London from lung cancer, but his final years were marked by an unwavering commitment to quality in winemaking, a sharp eye for business, and a dedication to supporting the people around him. 

In Beck’s own words, his greatest achievement was “giving employment to thousands of people”, helping them to better their lives. 

Today, Graham Beck Wines is a prominent symbol of South African wine excellence and continues to operate as a tribute to its founder, who redefined South African sparkling wine.

“It is also with great fondness that we remember Graham as having an unerring gift for bringing beauty and style into the lives of so many – as did his wife, Rhona,” the company’s website states.

“Their great affection for works of art, the splendour of Mother Nature and the elegance and grace of thoroughbred horses is evident throughout the Beck family’s estates – both here and abroad.”