Sunday, April 13, 2025
Enology 

CAEP Ambassador Spotlight: Lukas Lombard – From South Africa to Maryhill Winery, USA

CAEP

Meet Lukas Lombard, a passionate young winemaker from South Africa whose journey takes him across continents and expands his global wine expertise. As a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Oenology, Lukas is gaining invaluable hands-on experience at Maryhill Winery in Washington State, USA, as part of the CAEP program. This incredible journey has opened doors for Lukas to explore the world of wine and immerse himself in diverse cultures, broadening his professional and personal horizons.

An International Journey Begins

Lukas joined the CAEP program with a clear goal: to gain international experience and become a more well-rounded, culturally enriched winemaker. “My goal is to become more educated and well-versed in different winemaking techniques and styles,” Lukas shared.

Lukas is training at Maryhill Winery in the scenic Columbia River Gorge in Washington State. With stunning views of the Columbia River and Mount Hood volcano, Lukas finds himself in an environment that inspires both his training and personal exploration. “It is beautiful and picturesque here,” he says.

Hands-On Experience at Maryhill Winery

Lukas’s daily routine combines technical winemaking tasks and constant learning. His work involves racking and transferring wine between barrels and tanks, bottling, adding additives to the wine, gassing tanks, collecting lab samples, and managing cold stabilization and filtration. “I have learned about the struggles of managing a highly diverse range of wines and the method of ion exchange resins and how they work, which is incredibly interesting,” Lukas explains. Lukas also emphasized that many of these techniques were new to him during his program, including the cold stabilization method and the use of different methods and chemicals for cleaning and sanitizing the cellar, barrels, and tanks.

“By educating myself and helping me build up experience and confidence in my abilities, this training will help prepare me for eventually becoming an assistant and head winemaker in the industry one day. The hands-on experience here is building my confidence and knowledge in ways that will shape my future in the industry.”

Cultural Exploration Beyond the Cellar

Lukas’s experience with CAEP isn’t just limited to winemaking. The program has allowed him to meet and connect with people from different walks of life, enriching his understanding of the world. In his free time, Lukas has explored Portland, Oregon, indulging in the city’s vibrant culture, food, and, of course, wine. His adventure took him to Mount Hood for his first snowboarding experience – a significant highlight, considering snow is rare in South Africa! “It was amazing,” Lukas says. “Snowboarding for the first time was an unforgettable experience.”

Beyond the vineyards and wineries, Lukas has spent time traveling with coworkers, exploring local beer and wine spots, and sparring in MMA and BJJ clubs to stay active. “I’ve met so many different people, cultures, and perspectives,” he shares. “That’s probably my favorite part of this journey. Traveling, working in the wine industry, and meeting so many new faces – it’s been eye-opening.”

Looking Ahead: A Future Full of Possibilities

As Lukas moves forward in his winemaking journey, he reflects on the opportunities CAEP has provided him to connect with like-minded individuals and gain international experience that would have been difficult to achieve otherwise. The CAEP program is an amazing method for building international bridges between wineries, winemakers, cellar hands, and different cultures,” Lukas shares.

“I recommend CAEP because of this. They have helped me build up international connections, make new friends and become a more experienced and confident aspiring winemaker.”

A Global Perspective on Winemaking

Lukas’s story is a testament to the incredible impact the CAEP program can have on emerging winemakers. By stepping outside of his comfort zone and embracing the global nature of the wine industry, Lukas is gaining technical skills and expanding his understanding of the diverse world of wine. His journey is just beginning, and with his passion and dedication, there’s no doubt that Lukas will continue to grow and thrive in this exciting industry.

Stay tuned for more stories from CAEP ambassadors as they travel the world, gaining international experience and shaping the future of winemaking.

If you are interested in an international winery adventure, please visit our website www.caep.org to apply or email enology@caep.org.

CAEP

International Training Program Opportunities for Students and Professionals A CAEP international training program gives you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while learning a new culture in another part of the world! Whether you are seeking vocational training to enhance your existing skills, or you wish to prepare yourself for a job in agriculture, horticulture, enology, equine or western equine, CAEP has a wide variety of international training programs sure to match your needs. Choose from opportunities in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, and more! Young people around the world are talking about how international training programs are life-changing. Filled with travel and adventure, new knowledge and lifelong friends, international training programs offer real, hands-on experiences that are validated for universities and future employers. Don’t wait! Register today to get started on your experience of a lifetime!