James Downes

James Downes is the owner of Dunmanway Farm (apple, pear and wine grapes) and co-owner of Shannon Vineyards & Wines, in Elgin - Grabouw, South Africa.

James graduated from the University of Aberdeen Scotland 1998, with a Bachelor of Technology in Aquaculture Honours, and was presented by the Scottish Agricultural College in 1998, the award for Best Student. James specialised in the selective breeding of Atlantic Salmon and worked part time at Landcatch Ltd on the West Coast of Scotland whilst at university. James also during his final year at the University of Aberdeen was employed as the President of the Sports Union, supervising the running of over 50 different sporting codes/clubs.

Returning to his roots in Elgin South Africa in 1999 he started planting vineyards in 2000, as an addition to the already planted apples and pears on Dunmanway Farm. And so in 2000 established Shannon Vineyards & Wines as a boutique wine business with his brother. Shannon Vineyards & Wines has been hugely successful in producing award winning Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and is regarded as the category leader in South Africa with their Merlot wines. James also in 2000 was a founding committee member of Wines of Elgin alongside, Dr Paul Cluver of De Rust/Paul Cluver wines and Anthony Rawbone-Viljoen of Oak Valley Wines. Recently he stepped down from the exec of Wines of Elgin after 25 years of contribution.

James is also involved in and has a contributing role in the following:

1.     Two A Day (Pty) Ltd – Member since 2006 and Director since 2025. Two A Day is a major agricultural cooperative and fruit-packing business based in Grabouw, Western Cape, South Africa. : Its core business is the growing, sorting, packing, and storing apples and pears. Member of the Two A day Social & Ethics committee since 2025. Member of Two A Day Finance & Risk committee since 2023.

2.     Vinpro – Director since 2026. Vinpro is a non-profit company (NPC) in South Africa that represents nearly 2,600 wine grape producers, cellars, and related wine-industry businesses. Established in 2003, it advocates for the commercial sustainability and growth of the local wine sector.  James represents the Cape South Coast region, consisting of around 148 wine grape growers, from Elgin all the way up to Plettenberg Bay.

3.     Applewood Preparatory School – Previously Director and school board member 2019-2025. The board being responsible for the adoption of the school a mission statement, setting school policies, management of property and buildings, and recommend staff appointments.

Besides James’s above involvement he enjoys wildlife encounters, birding, travelling and fishing all over Southern Africa.