Danielle le Roux is the winemaker at Rust en Vrede. She was appointed to the position in January 2022, having moved into this role from within the wine producer's greater portfolio of wine brands – she's previously made the Donkiesbaai and Guardian Peak wines.
Danielle grew up on her family’s sheep and wheat farm in the Overberg. She realised at an early age that she was destined to work outdoors and with nature, and after school went on to study agriculture at the University of Stellenbosch, graduating in 2000 with a Bsc in Viticulture & Oenology.
Danielle then spent 2 years working on and off in London as a wine guide (at Vinopolis Wine Museum near London Bridge), and as harvest winemaker at Chateau de la Colline (Bergerac), Verite (Sonoma), and Terreno (Tuscany). After returning to the Winelands she gained experience at Fort Simon, Sentinel and Delheim, before signing on as winemaker at farms like Lyngrove and Asara.
In 2009 Danielle graduated as a Cape Wine Master, and she is also a graduate of the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy. She is involved in regular wine judging at, among others, Veritas and the Young Wine Show, and is an occasional contributor to various wine magazines.
Danielle is so passionate about wine that when not working she hosts a wine tasting group, and makes a garage wine with friends. She also enjoys the odd travelling and camping trip with her family in Africa (but is careful to take lots of wine along).