The South African wine industry has long been an area that is dominated by men of a certain age and colour.
But not for long, there is a new crop of young, black and ambitious viticulturists on the rise.
First-year protégés Lulo Bulo and Nompumelelo Mosaka are two examples of this change hitting Stellenbosch’s wine industry.
These two bright women started their winemaking journey in 2019 when they participated in the Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust’s inaugural Learner Programme.
Bulo and Mosaka took part in the four-day educational trip to the Winelands during the June school holidays.
The programme offers black female Grade 11 learners an introduction to viticulture and oenology as a potential university degree and, ultimately, winemaking as a potential career path.
According to the Cape Winemakers Guild, the criteria for the selection of the learners included a keen interest in biological science and consistently achieving above-average marks in mathematics and physical sciences.
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Bulo and Mosaka are both from Pretoria and originally had their sights set on health sciences, however, participating in the visit back in 2019 opened their eyes to the alchemical magic of winemaking.
Bulo said that she was at first apprehensive to enter this industry given the reputation it has for not being open to women especially people of colour.
“The South African agricultural industry can come across as being very male-dominated and white, but these protégés were proving to us that people of colour and women, literally anyone who was interested would be welcomed with open arms,” she explained.
The young winemaker said that she felt very accommodated and felt hugely supported by the programme and noted that winemaking offers a perfect blend of nature, science and artistry.
Mosaka said that in 2019 she had already been provisionally accepted at the University of Witwatersrand but was inspired by her trip to the winelands.
The passion and enthusiasm she saw in the winemakers was something she wanted to experience for herself.
“What captured my interest most was the multidimensionality of it,” she said.
“As a person in the wine industry, you aren’t limited to just being one thing. You get to play all these different roles, which is really stimulating to me as an individual,” Mosaka said.
Working life
It has been five years and now Bulo and Mosaka both hold degrees in Viticulture and Oenology from Stellenbosch University.
The two women have also been accepted into the sought-after Protégé Programme and are spending their respective first years under the mentorship of Cape Winemakers Guild members, Warren Ellis (from Neil Ellis Wines) and Carl Schultz (from Hartenberg Wine Estate).
Bulo said that at first, she was extremely nervous when she started at the Neil Ellis Wine estate
“Starting my journey at Neil Ellis, one of the renowned names in the industry made me nervous for sure, especially because it was also my first harvest with red wine,” she explained.
“I was, however, inspired and excited to face this challenge and eager to learn and contribute as much as I can.”
She said also explained that she found herself supported and encouraged throughout her time there.
“I wasn’t sure if I would be equipped to deal with all the pressure of the red wine-making process, but the team was so supportive and everyone made an effort to help me understand every step of what I was doing,” she says. “With that, I saw that I was more than capable.”
Mosaka had a similar experience at Hartenberg where the relatively small harvest allowed her the luxury of time to process everything she was learning in real time.
“I wasn’t just doing things for the sake of getting a job done, but I could really think about it as I worked and ask questions,” she said.
“So far, Hartenberg has sparked a passion and hunger to keep learning about wine and hopefully, follow in my mentor, Carl’s (Schultz) footsteps to also be a pioneer in this space at some point.”
What is next?
Both Bulo and Mosaka have big dreams for their future and that includes international travel, studying further and determining their own unique expression as winemakers.
Moreover, the two women have a huge desire to give back and contribute to their community and to the wine industry.
“I hope to help give back to the South African wine industry, helping it to grow and expand into new markets, communities and cultures; encouraging experimentation and innovation, breaking down stereotypes and being a supporter to those aspiring to become a part of the industry by sharing my knowledge and cheering them on,” Bulo explained
Mosaka noted that she wants to enrich her knowledge of international wine and wine culture.
“I want to learn about diverse wine cultures across the globe, with a specific focus on traditional sparkling wine style, and observe closely international innovative techniques and scientific approaches to bring back and contribute to the local wine industry,” she said.
“In the next three years, I envision myself immersed in the global wine industry. Having completed the Protégé Programme, I aspire to be actively involved in international harvests, gaining invaluable hands-on experience and staying at the forefront of wine innovation”.
When asked about women of colour in the wine industry, Mosaka said that it was important to break the glass ceiling and bring in black voices into this space.
“I think it's about representation, innovation, and equity. When women of colour occupy leadership roles, it challenges stereotypes and inspires young girls to dream big,” she explained.
“Their unique perspectives can lead to groundbreaking innovations in winemaking and viticulture. Ultimately, this can become a catalyst for the industry's growth and resilience in an ever-evolving global market”.
Lastly, Mosaka has a message to other black young girls trying to get into this space. She said that she encourages other black girls to break out and look into this industry as a field of opportunity.
“For young women aspiring to a career in viticulture or oenology, I encourage them to embrace their passion, cultivate a strong work ethic, and never underestimate the power of knowledge,” she added.
“Building a solid foundation in science, agriculture, and business will undoubtedly be advantageous. Most importantly, don't be afraid to seek out mentors and build a supportive network. The wine industry is a collaborative one, and having strong connections can open doors to invaluable opportunities.”
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