Elunda Basson, who heads up the team at Steenberg as the cellarmaster, has excelled as a Cap Classique specialist, acted as vice chair of the Cap Classique Producers Association, is a sought-after wine judge, and her bubbles have been included in the top ten sparkling wines of the world at the Effervescents du Monde competition in France. It’s no wonder the Steenberg 1682 Chardonnay Brut stands out as my go-to bubbly. I love the delicate mousse that gently caresses the tastebuds with fresh green apples and pear, finished off with toasted croissant and pistachios.

This cool-climate wine is made by Riandri Visser, who joined the Cape Point Vineyards team in 2014 as the assistant winemaker after graduating with a Bachelor of agriculture, viticulture and oenology degree. She’s now the passionate head winemaker and is fondly known in the wine world as The Siren of Sauvignon, exercising great care and precision in growing and making wines using a varietal that craves attention. The wine is fresh, crisp and fruity with a touch of salinity, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean a mere 1.2 km from the farm in Noordhoek, Cape Town.

Catherine Marshall is the first name that comes to mind when Pinot Noir is mentioned. One of South Africa’s original pioneering garagiste winemakers, she graduated from Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute and has since become a household name for her innovative winemaking, especially using grapes grown in the cooler climate of Elgin. Her wines are feminine and gentle, qualities evident in this delicious Pinot Noir, which shows bright cranberries, cherries, and a finish of Provençal herbs.

Praisy Dlamini studied at Elsenburg in 2005, followed by three years with the illustrious Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme. In 2019, Bosman Adama offered her a winemaker position and it is here where the Adama HER wines collaboration began. Praisy makes the wines, which are produced, marketed and distributed by an all-women, all-black team. This Shiraz has beautiful tannins packed with red and black berries, with an enticing aromatic touch of pink peppercorns. It’s perfect for sharing. As Praisy says: “I love to make wine my friends will drink.”

This wine is made exclusively for Woolworths by Praisy Dlamini and the team at Adama, where she is also the general manager. It’s bright, crisp and light but packs a punch of flavour. As you’d expect from the name, it’s packed full of fresh and candied cherries, finished off with ginger spice on the palate.

Pietermaritzburg-born Stellenbosch graduate Nongcebo “Noni” Langa is ushering Delheim into an exciting new era. She started at the farm as an intern, then worked as the assistant winemaker and recently became the winemaker. Over the past four vintages, she has proven her leadership, talent and deep insight into wine making. The farm specialises in Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux-style varietals. This Cabernet/Merlot has a lovely deep comforting nose of fynbos, eucalyptus and cedar, with a satisfying palate of dark ripe berries and a lingering finish.

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