Celebrating the women of Brookdale

Thursday, 11 August, 2022
Brookdale
Each August, South Africa celebrates the women of our communities as an extension of Women’s Day on 9 August.

At Brookdale Estate, the team is led in both hospitality and winemaking by two phenomenal women – Yvonne Coetzee (general manager) and Kiara Scott (winemaker).

Yvonne Coetzee, with her endless energy and passion for people, focuses on possibilities instead of obstacles. Hailing from Durban, the Sunshine Coast, it’s no wonder her sunny disposition keeps the staff at Brookdale inspired. Her expectations for the exceptional create goals for the team to attain, always with a joke to be made and a smile to share.

Having managed luxury properties for many years in the tourism industry, she brings a wealth of understanding for guest experiences and strongly believes in an inclusive approach to building her teams.

“At Brookdale Estate, I have found a place to create something new based on my experience, while feeding my passion for personalised and extraordinary moments. We are dedicated to creating an environment where our guests and team flourish, their minds nurtured, and their passions set free to explore the boundaries of possibility. It has been incredible to work with South Africa’s youngest female head winemaker, Kiara, as we build something entirely unique in the Cape Winelands. This is a journey of a lifetime, and I am loving the ride.” – Yvonne Coetzee

Winemaker Kiara Scott, is kind, warm and ingeniously clever. She brings light and passion to every interaction and fosters a dynamic at Brookdale which encourages active participation and creativity. Having graduated from Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute in Viticulture and Oenology in Stellenbosch, she was selected for the prestigious Cape Winemakers’ Guild Protégé Programme. During her three-year tenure, she gained valuable experience working under David Nieuwoudt (Cederberg Cellars), Carl van de Merwe (De Morgenzon) and Charles Hopkins (De Grendel). Kiara also made full use of international opportunities and partook in harvests in the Rhône Valley and Sancerre region of France, as well as the Russian River of Sonoma, California.

Kiara’s experience and mentorship with Duncan Savage led to her appointment as head winemaker for Brookdale from the 2019 vintage. In June 2022, the Western Cape Provincial Parliament adopted a resolution congratulating Kiara Scott on her achievements in the wine industry; notably that “she became the youngest head female winemaker in South Africa at the age of just 26; and that she serves as an example for young women everywhere on what can be achieved through hard work.”

“I have a simple and minimal intervention approach to winemaking. I believe that great wines are made in the vineyard. Year on year, I am aiming to better understand our vineyards and soils to make the work in the cellar easier. Our wines will continue to be an expression of vintage-specific terroir and a study in micro-climates as we examine and learn about our vineyard makeup with each new harvest.” – Kiara Scott

This Women’s Month, Brookdale celebrate the positive impact women make in shaping our society, and we salute the contributions of the women to our hospitality, tourism and wine industry!

 

 

 

subscribe to news
Yvonne Coetzee - General Manager
Yvonne Coetzee - General Manager

Kiara Scott - Winemaker
Kiara Scott - Winemaker

more news