Mika Engelbrecht, a winemaker at Cederberg Wines, is recognised as one of South Africa’s most exciting young winemaking talents. She boasts an impressive combination of technical expertise, international harvest experience, innovation, and a deep passion for terroir-driven wines.
A Stellenbosch University graduate with a BScAgric in Viticulture and Oenology, Mika began her career with internships and harvests at respected producers including Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons, Benguela Cove, Domaine Wachau in Austria, and Mas Belles Eaux in France. She later joined Neethlingshof Estate, where she progressed from assistant winemaker to winemaker.
Mika was named Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year in 2024, cementing her reputation as one of the industry’s rising stars. Over the years Mika earned recognition for producing award-winning wines, in multiple national and international wine competitions.
Known for her enthusiasm for sustainability, and expressing a strong sense of place through wine, Mika’s philosophy aligns naturally with the Cederberg approach to winemaking. In a 2024 profile, she described terroir as “a fingerprint” that shapes wines unique to their origin, and spoke passionately about the future of sustainable and precision-driven viticulture.