On 2 June 2024, Wilhelm Lategan, also known as Prop to his family and friends, passed away at the age of 86. He was a wine producer at @bergsigestate and an honorary member of Vinpro. Wilhelm is survived by four children: Matoinette, Louis, De Wet, and Benjamin Wilhelm (Plum).

Wilhelm was born in the Breedekloof area on 11 July 1938. Despite losing his parents at a young age, Wilhelm began farming on the family farm, Bergsig, at 18. He took over the farm’s management from his uncle at 21. Through ambition, hard work, an innovative mindset, and a natural flair for science and technology, Wilhelm and his team developed the farm from 50 hectares to a 250-hectare estate. Wilhelm married Maria Elizabeth (Miemie) de Wet, a farm girl from Worcester in 1963.

Bergsig played a leading role by being registered as an estate in 1978, and the first Bergsig wines were bottled that year. This was a significant leap at the time, especially for a region known primarily for cooperatives and bulk wine production. Wilhelm was a visionary and leader. He valued South African wines, particularly those from the Breedekloof and Worcester regions, and advocated for their potential.

Wilhelm was among the first producers in the Goudini and Worcester region to sell bottled wine under his own label. His leadership style inspired many others to pursue this path, and he became a pacesetter. He also made significant contributions to viticulture, especially in fertilization and training systems, helping to establish the Worcester wine region as a producer of world-class wines and brandies.

In addition to wine production, flying was another great passion of Wilhelm’s. He served his community and was involved with 110 Squadron at Ysterplaat in a leadership position as Commander. He strategically promoted the wine industry wherever he went, truly acting as an ambassador for his region and the industry as a whole.

Wilhelm Lategan’s work at Bergsig was groundbreaking, and his legacy will be remembered for years to come.