Meet Fritz Damons: our ‘vineyard whisperer’
On a chilly winter morning, you’re sure to find Fritz Damons at his post – between the vineyard rows of Black Oystercatcher, leading his vineyard management team by example.
“We’re busy pruning the vines now,” he explains. Already preparing for next year’s harvest.
“Just look around… Right now, there’s nothing on the vines – no leaves, no shoots. When you look at the vineyard in winter, you’d never think what goes into a bottle of wine,” he says. “And then, at the end of the day, you see the fruit that grew from nothing – and that fruit goes to the cellar, gets bottled, and you drink it! I find it very interesting.”
A son of the Overberg
Fritz’s roots have been intertwined with our region’s unique way of farming since childhood. He grew up on a farm outside Napier and completed his schooling at Albert Myburgh Secondary School in Bredasdorp – a stone’s throw from the Black Oystercatcher farm, where he started working intermittently straight after school.
“I became a permanent employee in 2009 – and I’m still here today!”
As a general worker, Fritz sharpened his skills by “doing the jobs that everyone does”. He lent a hand with tractor driving, trench digging, irrigation and fertilization.
He soon leaned into his natural leadership skills and today he’s the team leader in charge of all vineyard management on the farm.
“My role is to oversee. The work is given to me and Dirk (Human, founder of Black Oystercatcher Wines) shows us how he wants it done, and I have to make sure it gets done properly. There are times that I have to evaluate my team members’ skills and delegate work accordingly.”
‘I want to teach’
Stepping into the team leader role was a proud milestone in Fritz’s career.
“It was always my dream to work with my own team of people one day. I didn’t think that it would ever happen, but it did. I am glad that Dirk recognised that in me.” Equally important has been the support from his wife, Ilana, their three children and two grandchildren.
“I think I have the potential to be a good leader. The Black Oystercatcher team saw something in me, so I just have to believe in myself.”
While the work is extremely rewarding, it has its challenges too, says the 43-year-old.
“I enjoy being a team leader. It makes me stronger. You could say I’m still quite young, and my eight team members are younger still. It’s important to share your knowledge so that others can get ahead too. I want to teach them what I learned when I started out.”
And Fritz’s knowledge is a valuable kind: practical and proven. With no formal training, he has cultivated his expertise through trial and error, hands-on experience and technical instruction from Dirk.
“It’s all just what I’ve picked up over the years. I’m still learning every day.”
Big dreams in every bottle
True to Fritz’s approach to learning, his sights are firmly set on furthering his knowledge in the future.
“I’m quite interested in learning more about the winemaking process. If I ever get the opportunity to make my own wine, it would be very special.”
Fritz’s ambition is characteristic of the work ethic and culture across the farm. He gestures to the vines – where his team is still pruning away:
“On a winter morning like today, it’s cold and misty, but these young guys are willing to come out. It’s hard work, but the people show up to do it. Not every team is like that.”
That’s something special, he says – and it’s captured in every bottle of Black Oystercatcher wine.
