I thrive on the challenge that each harvest brings, it signals new beginnings in the cellar where you have to start afresh from scratch and work your magic with what nature gave you to make the best possible wine each year, said Bonny van Niekerk, the latest your and dynamic winemaker to take over the reins as winemaker of Zonnebloem red wines.
Van Niekerk first joined the team as assistant winemaker in 2005, after completing her Diploma in Cellar Technology with a distinction at Elsenburg Agricultural College. Two years later, van Niekerk has secured the position as red winemaker at the cellar.
Commanding the red wine team, her newly found responsibilities include being in charge of all aspects of winemaking such as the production and management control of maturation at the Adam Tas cellar in Stellenbosch.
Whilst studying, van Niekerk used every opportunity possible to further her knowledge on all aspects of winemaking both locally and abroad. Her stints overseas include gaining experience as cellar assistant at a cellar in Germany whereafter she completed a three month SLVA Oppenheim course in practical winemaking and cellar technology in Oppenheim, Germany. She also assisted the wine team in the marketing department of Guinness in Belfast, Northern Ireland and worked as cellar assistant at the endall-Jackson Lakeport Cellar in California. Back on the home turf, she helped during the harvest season at Durbanville Hills before joining the Zonnebloem team. When van Niekerk is not busy in the cellar she loves spending time outdoors especially lots of sea and sun.