Team SA is comprised of 2 winemakers; Anton Swarts CWM (Spier), Jolette Steyn (Steenberg), 1 marketer; Captain Anita Streicher-Nel (Anthonij Rupert Wyne) and 1 PR Consultant, Jeanri-Tine van Zyl (Feedthatbird), with Nkululeko Mkhwanazi in 5th position, allocated as reserve.
Nkululeko is very passionate about wine and represents a number of brands in KZN; Creation Wines, Reciprocal Wine Trading Company, Riedel, Crystallum, David & Nadia, and Remhoogte. In 2011 he obtained a Certificate of Competence with distinction from the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy and attended the Advanced Wine Judging Academy in 2014.
His love for wine started in 2000 when his post matric class visited Rustenberg Wine Estate during a trip to Cape Town. Simon Barlow took them on a vineyard and cellar tour before presenting the wines.
While Nkululeko studied at UCT he naturally joined the UCT Wine Society where he became Chairman in 2005. While in Cape Town he also studied wine through Cape Wine Academy, where he completed his Diploma in Wine.
In 2009 he founded the JHB Wine Series and 031 Wine Society which has since changed to Shamase Wine Club. (Watch the space for the JHB relaunch.) This is a platform for wine lovers young and old to explore and taste unique local and international wines in a relaxed environment. Past guest presenters include Marilyn Cooper, Jean Philippe Colmant, Martin Meinert, Jeremy Borg and David John Bates to name a few. He is also chairperson of the Highway Wine Society which was founded in 1982.
Nkulu has judged in a number of competitions:
- RECM 10 year Old Wine Awards in 2013
- Associate Judge at The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show from 2011 to 2014
- Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2015/16/2017
- Veritas 2014 (Bordeaux style blends panel)
His favourite wine experiences have to be the epic Michael Fridjhon Wine Experience, the Swartland Revolution, the Pinot Noir Festival, Stellenbosch Cabernet and the Cape Winemakers Guild Showcase.
He is a fanatic sportsman and runner - and has completed 8 Ultra’s, 4 Two Oceans, 5 Chatsworth Marathons and 3 Comrades Marathons. He hopes to run the Medoc, New York, London, Dubai and Rome Marathon. Don't mess with him about his soccer - he supports Liverpool and Orlando Pirates, but is an avid Sharks and Springboks fan too!