New winemaker makes Zonnebloem an all girls team

Zonnebloem wines, one of South Africa’s most enduring wine brands, has appointed a new winemaker, Elize Coetzee, transforming the winemaking team into an all girls trio. Elize who takes over the responsibility of making all the white wines from Cellar Manager Deon Boshoff, joins red winemaker Bonny van Niekerk, and Zonnebloem viticulturist Annelie Viljoen.

Elize completed her degree in Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch and joined the Zonnebloem winemaking team as assistant winemaker of the white wines under Deon Boshoff in 2005. One of the highlights since joining Zonnebloem, was the launch of the acclaimed Zonnebloem Limited Edition range of wines.

Commanding the white wine team, Elize’s newfound responsibilities include being in charge of all aspects of winemaking such as the production, management and control of maturation at the Zonnebloem cellars in Stellenbosch.

“Winemaking is a lifestyle, you need to live it, love it and enjoy it,” says Elize, who has a soft spot for Sauvignon blanc in particular because of all the challenges the grape brings. Elize had actually set her sights on becoming a scientist, but her first experiment at university soon cured her of any illusions about this career path. Instead, she has managed to combine her love for the outdoors and science in the captivating art of winemaking.

“I love being outdoors in summer and going to work in shorts and a t-shirt. You walk into a shop all sticky and dirty and people wonder whether you work as a mechanic of some sort! I’m also not very artistic when it comes to music or art so I love the fact that I can be creative in another way by turning grapes into wine,” explains Elize.

Outside of the cellar, Elize takes care of her beautiful baby boy, giggling teenage girl and loving winemaker husband Wilhelm, with whom she shares a passion for food and wine. As a family, they place great emphasis on spending time together with friends and love camping and the bushveld.

Elize believes that quality and attention to detail is everything and that there can be no shortcuts when it comes to making good wine.

Elize succeeds Deon Boshoff, who was promoted to Cellar Manager at Adam Tas Cellar earlier in the year. Come next season, Deon will certainly have his hands full with this all girl’s Zonnebloem trio!

For more information on Zonnebloem wines, visit www.zonnebloem.co.za