Wildekrans celebrates women-led winemaking and hospitality

Recent appointments have seen women taking up key positions at the award-winning wine estate.

Overberg, Western Cape: Wildekrans Wine Estate, a winery in Bot River known for its award-winning wines and olive oils announced that they have recently appointed Maryke Botha & Rianie Strydom to head up their wine-making team. Along with Emma Manuel, head of hospitality, Wildekrans is proud to have a predominately female team based on their estate driving their brand forward.

For Emma Manuel, It’s a very empowering time for the whole team at Wildekrans. “It is said that behind every great man, there is a woman – but it is time to look around, as we are standing next to you as women, as mothers, as leaders and as equals. This is how I feel working at Wildekrans. We are all equals, with the same goals – and it’s a great place to find yourself and your team.”

Maryke Botha joins Wildekrans from Eikendal Vineyards. With a Cum Laude degree in Winemaking from Stellenbosch University, and stints in Burgundy and California, she brings a passion for precision viticulture.

“Precision, elegance, and finesse – three words which can be used to describe a woman. Also, three words which can be used to describe our wine style and the complete Wildekrans experience. Add ‘dynamic’ to those words, and you perfectly describe the amazing team of women at the helm of this beautiful piece of heaven in the Overberg.”

Rianie Strydom has been appointed on an advisory role to Wildekrans to support Maryke as she grows in her winemaking career.

“My love and passion for wine, vineyards and soil started at a young age. The logical step for me was to study and achieve a B.Sc Agric in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Stellenbosch. I have been fortunate to be involved with two fantastic Wine Estates in the Stellenbosch area for 25 years and travel to many winegrowing regions of the world. Through this constant commitment to wine, I have been invited to become a Cape Winemakers Guild member, a core group of South Africa’s leading winemakers. To be included is a great honour and a humbling experience. My current position in the wine industry is to share my knowledge and skills I have been fortunate to gather over the years with like-minded younger generation winemakers as well as focus on our family business.”

While we celebrate the female faces at the front of the Wildekrans brand, a mention is deserved for two integral ladies behind the brand: Managing Director, Debbie De Carvalho, and Chief Financial Officer, Rachel Hebron. With the assistance of PA, Laudette van der Heever, their constant support and guidance is invaluable in driving Wildekrans forward.

Wildekrans Wine Estate is a picturesque 1 000 hectare estate tucked away in the beautiful Bot River Valley amongst fields of indigenous rhenosterbos. Just an hour away from Cape Town International Airport, and 20 minutes from Hermanus, Wildekrans is known for its award-winning wines, olive oils and dining experiences. Wildekrans also offers luxury self-catering accommodation, and many outdoor activities for nature lovers and biking / hiking enthusiasts.

The focus of this estate lies very much in creating a fully home-grown product and warm family hospitality for everything from their wines, to hosted events and functions – or even a simple weekend away with friends or family.