Meet the Winemaker: Marinda Kruger-Claassen from Elgin Vintners on Radio Helderberg

Friday, 6 March, 2020
wine.co.za, Trudie Webb (Editor)
Take a few moments to listen to Marinda Kruger-Claassen from Elgin Vintners, talking to Johann Myburgh about her journey from the friendly city of Port Elizabeth, to being a winemaker in the cool climate of Elgin. This is part of wine.co.za's Radio Helderberg monthly ''Meet the Winemaker'' interview series.

Marinda learned her tricks of the winemaking trade in the Northern Cape where she was based for 13 years before an adventurous stint around the world, working for a big international company making wines across the world. 

Growing up in Port Elizabeth (Die Baai), Marinda jokingly responds to Johann's question about when the dream of becoming a winemaker was born, that PE doesn't have a vine in sight. A big love for soil and science saw Marinda grow her own vegetables as a young girl and subsequently selling them to her mother.

Marinda has a varied career in food science. Starting out with studies in BSc Food Science, her love for winemaking started after working as laboratory manager for Namaqua Wines. She then pursued studies in winemaking, ending off with an MSc in Winemaking. 

Marinda is an example of how passion can be a great drive for success and that a winemaking pedigree is no prerequisite for a successful career in wine. 

About Elgin Vintners, Marinda says that people are the heart of this cool-climate producer. With a capacity to process 500tons of grapes, coming from their two farms in Elgin, their cool-climate grapes are very sought-after and sees them selling some of their grapes to well-known producers. They take big pride in their Pinot Noir, having won the trophy for Best Pinot Noir at the 2019 Michelangelo International Wine Awards.There is also big excitement for their Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Click HERE to listen to the interview (it is mostly in Afrikaans) or click on IMAGE BELOW

Keep up with all the top winemakers through our monthly  'Meet the Winemaker' Interviews during 2020 here.
Listen up on the first Wednesday of every month at 12.30pm to Radio Helderberg on 93.6FM for the LIVE interviews

 

 

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Marinda Kruger-Claassen
Marinda Kruger-Claassen

Judy Brower & Marinda Kruger-Claassen
Judy Brower & Marinda Kruger-Claassen

Johann Myburgh & Marinda Kruger-Claassen
Johann Myburgh & Marinda Kruger-Claassen

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