Women in wine: we're celebrating you!
NTSIKI BIYELA (Aslina wines):
Ntsiki grew up in Mahlabathini, a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal, and matriculated from high school in 1996. Having spent a year as a domestic worker, she was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking at Stellenbosch University in 1999. She graduated in 2003 with a BSc in Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) and joined boutique winery Stellekaya as their winemaker the following year.
Ntsiki’s ambition to create her own wines grew, and it was over dinner and a glass of wine with her colleagues that she shared the story of the inspiration behind her ambition. Her beloved grandmother was the guiding light in her life and it became obvious that her new brand should be named Aslina in the matriarch’s honour.
Ntsiki's hot products: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Umsasane (Red Blend)
CARMEN STEVENS
Carmen Stevens Wines was established in 2011 with our maiden vintage in 2014. Carmen Stevens has been in the South African Wine Industry since qualifying in 1995. Carmen graduated as the first black South African to study the art of winemaking in South Africa. In January 2019, Carmen registered the first 100% black-owned winery in South Africa in the picturesque Stellenbosch.
Carmen's hot products: Nemrac (Red Blend), Savi Sparkling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Carmen Stevens Mixed Case
ELIZMER VISSER (Olifantsberg wines):
Winemaker Elizma Visser loves the wines she makes, and has made it her ambition to translate the shale-soiled and windy terroir of the Breedekloof into pure and elegant wines. We always aim to have a natural approach as far as possible to ensure a true expression of the vineyards and minimal intervention throughout the lifetime of the wines.
Eliza's hot products: Olifantsberg Syrah, Silhouette (Red Blend), Blanc (White Blend)
PRAISY DLAMINI (HER Collection wines)
The ¨HER Collection¨ name was chosen to represent our sisters, mothers, daughters, and grandmothers - the women in our lives who strive to make the world a better place and retire with a well-earned bottle of HER wine, with family and friends at the end of the day! HER is a brand that relates to the everyday struggle of powerful and graceful women from all strides of life, You either know one or you are one...
Praisy's hot products: HER Pinotage, HER Sauvignon Blanc, HER Chenin Blanc.
CATHERINE MARSHALL
Catherine graduated from Elsenburg in 1991. Apprenticeships at various local cellars interspersed with international experiences in France (Burgundy and St-Emilion- Bordeaux), USA ( California and Oregon) and Australia. Resident winemaking positions followed at four wineries in Stellenbosch and Paarl before embarking on a solo career in 2007 establishing and running the wine business.
As Cellar master at various wineries, she has garnered many local and international awards, including 5 star Platter Wine Guide and Tim Atkin (MW) accolades for her Pinot Noir. The total commitment to detail and the hands-on approach in vineyards and wine production are evident in the unique character of Cathy’s range.
Catherine's hot products: Catherine Marshall ´Art Collection´ Chenin Blanc, Catherine Marshall ´Clay Soils´ Pinot Noir, Catherine Marshall ´Sandstone´ Pinot Noir.