For a lucky few, there is a definitive moment when the world quietly slips away, and all that remains is an inspired instant between you and the wine that leaves you awestruck. For others, it’s a special memory that confirms your love for wine. For Danielle Coetsee, Cap Classique winemaker at Boschendal, it was a combination of both.
At just 11 years old, Danielle’s uncle inspired her to be a winemaker with his tales of studying winemaking and viticulture from Elsenburg. Yet, it was not until Danielle’s first harvest and tasting through some particularly memorable wines that a deeper love for winemaking blossomed.
Danielle studied viticulture and oenology at Elsenburg and then went on to work as a winemaker and farm manager at a boutique winery in the Overberg for several years. It was during this formative time that Danielle cemented her approach to winemaking.
“It may sound super cliche, but it still rings true – you need good grapes to make good wine. You can make bad wine from good grapes, but you cannot make good wine from bad grapes,” she explains.
The 2020 SA Women’s Wine & Spirit Awards's Winemaker of the Year, Danielle believes that attention to detail and a “kick-ass palate” are cornerstones to sound winemaking.
In this interview, Danielle chats about her job as Cap Classique winemaker and what drives and inspires her.
What does your position as Boschendal's Cap Classique winemaker entail?
I'm responsible for the Cap Classique production at Boschendal, from grape to glass. That includes harvest, riddling, dosage decisions and adjustments, and disgorgings. I'm also involved with R&D projects for Cap Classiques, which include trials and studies for continuous improvement and recommendations for quality management.
How long have you been working for Boschendal?
I joined Boschendal after harvest 2017, so I'm now heading into my 6th vintage at Boschendal for 2023.
Why did you become a winemaker?
Making wine and aiming for continuous and consistent quality improvements are made is a pursuit of passion. But every harvest is unique and that keeps it interesting and challenging at the same time. The stories and shared passion of other winemakers are what drew me to the industry. The people and the quality of South African wine is what keeps the fire and passion burning.
What's a common misconception about your job?
That winemakers only work three months a year. The moment harvest finishes, we enter the next phase of the process and all aspects and stages of wine making are equally important. Constant quality control and precision is needed to ensure the best representation of a vintage ends up in the glass.
We also have a stellar team at Boschendal, and every individual in the team is involved in producing the wine, not just the winemaker.
What's your favourite Boschendal wine?
My quick go-to is usually any of the wines in the 1686 range, especially the Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
But for a special occasion, I'll open a bottle of Elgin appellation. The Suzanne 2022 is showing very well and we're ecstatic that the vintage delivered us with such phenomenal fruit.
On the bubbly side, I always have a bottle of the Boschendal Cap Classique NV chilled for any occasion. The Grand Cuvée Elgin Brut is also a chart topper for me!