This from a young woman raised by a single mum and her late grandmother, who died while Jamie was still in high school. The overseas trip she refers to, was an opportunity to work in California after her studies. Her journey into wine, however, started some time before that.
Born in 1993, Jamie spent her childhood in Retreat and matriculated at Norman Henshilwood High School in Constantia. “I’ve always had a passion for science,” she says.
In her second year of a BSc with specialisation in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at Stellenbosch University, she undertook a module on wine biotechnology. “I was captured!” she declares.
Her BSc graduation was followed by appointment in 2015 as a laboratory analyst intern at Distell’s Die Bergkelder. A year later, she became a harvest cellar intern before taking on her current position at Nederburg in May 2018. In 2024, she was promoted to head of the white winemaking team.
Jamie names her career highlight to date without hesitation; it’s that very same August 2016 trip to the US she regards as the biggest challenge she has faced. She was invited to participate by the Communicating for Agriculture Education Programme (CAEP).
Among her many accolades, the 2024 Heritage Heroes The Anchor Man Old Vine Chenin Blanc earned her the title of second runner-up and a spot in the top 3 in the closely watched 2025 iTOO Next Generation Awards.