Stellenbosch Visio and Wine Cellar fine wine merchants are celebrating female excellence this August with a selection of rising and established wine stars. One lucky reader stands a chance to win a special edition Women Winemaker Insiders’ Case worth R1,320 consisting of six different wines showcasing the talent of South African women in the wine industry.
This Women’s Month, Wine Cellar fine wine merchants is gifting one Stellenbosch Visio fan with a Women Winemaker Insiders’ Case worth R1,320. This special edition case includes: Natasha Williams’s Lelie van Saron Syrah 2018, Jessica Saurwein’s Saurwein Chi Riesling 2020, Trizanne Barnard’s Trizanne Signature Wines TSW Cinsault 2020, Marelise Niemann’s Momento Grenache Noir 2019, Melissa Genevieve Nelson’s Genevieve Rosé Cap Classique NV, and Wine Cellar’s very own Jolette Steyn with The Vineyard Party I’m Your Huckleberry 2018.
Jolette Steyn, head of sales and imports at Wine Cellar, is well-versed in the art of fine wine and holds a BSc and MSc in Oenology and Viticulture. About the Women Winemaker Insiders’ Case, she says: “It was important to show variety and include new wines as well as those with a track record. The Wine Cellar Insiders’ Case has always been built around the best value fine wines, so that was a deciding factor too.”
WINNER: Tania van Zyl
Meet the winemakers
The Vineyard Party I’m Your Huckleberry 2018 – Jolette Steyn: The Vineyard Party launched in June 2021 with two small-batch Sémillon bottlings from the maiden 2018 vintage. Whilst this might be Jolette’s maiden release, she has more than a decade and a half of winemaking experience with 15 harvests on four continents.
Lelie van Saron Syrah 2018 – Natasha Williams: Lelie van Saron, referencing her small hometown, started with a 2017 Chardonnay and 2018 Syrah which were both officially launched in September 2019. Natasha’s approach to winemaking is simple: make wine with a pure expression of the terroir and grape variety, using natural methods.
Saurwein Chi Riesling 2020 – Jessica Saurwein: Saurwein’s maiden vintage was in 2015. She favours a hands-off approach, which means allowing the natural balance of the grapes to guide her. Today she focusses on handcrafting her favourite cultivars, two Pinot Noirs and one Riesling.
Trizanne Signature Wines TSW Cinsault 2020 – Trizanne Barnard: Since her own first vintage, Trizanne’s focus has always been on two very diverse wine regions – Elim and the Swartland. Apart from winemaking and judging on various panels, she is an avid surfer who draws patience and respect from nature.
Momento Grenache Noir 2019 – Marelise Niemann: After university, a stint in California, and whilst winemaker for Beaumont Wines, Marelise picked her first Grenache for her solo project in 2011. She officially launched Momento in 2013.
Genevieve Rosé Cap Classique NV – Melissa Genevieve Nelsen: Genevieve Cap Classique (first vintage in 2008 and launched in 2010) was inspired by Melissa’s absolute passion for Cap Classique. Whilst originally planning to become a pilot, she now keeps her feet firmly on the ground, more specifically in the vineyards in Botriver.
Good to know: To purchase your very own Women Winemaker Insiders’ Case, click here.