Estelle's special winemaking talents were first recognized while she was still a B.Sc.Agric. student. One of the awards she received while studying at the University of Stellenbosch was for the best student in oenology and viticulture. After a season at the Tatachilla Cellar in Australia and another at the Simi Cellar in Sonoma Valley, California, she returned to Stellenbosch in 1997 as assistant-winemaker at Neethlingshof Estate, and, in 1998, at sister farm Stellenzicht.