Abbey Pretorius (27) started her winemaking studies at Stellenbosch University in 2018. After initially studying medicine, she did some serious soul-searching and changed her study direction to winemaking. She worked hard and was awarded a merit bursary in 2020. She completed her BSc in viticulture and oenology in 2021 and has since also completed a certificate in wine evaluation from Stellenbosch University. She hopes to get started on WSET soon.
In 2021, she worked as a harvest intern at Villiera Wines, where she had the privilege of working with three prominent winemakers, Jeff and Alexander Grier and Nathan Valentine, whom she considers great mentors. After the harvest, she continued working at the estate over weekends while finishing her degree.
At the end of her final year, DGB marketing director Jacques Roux (now retired) called her to offer her a winemaking internship at Boschendal in 2022. After a year of learning, growing, and working with several great winemakers at Boschendal, she moved to Franschhoek Cellar as a winemaking intern. Last year, she was promoted to assistant winemaker, working for both Franschhoek Cellar and Backsberg Family Wines. She was also the runner-up in the junior manager category of last year’s Western Cape Prestige Agri Awards.
“Abbey impressed us from day one,” DGB group winemaker Stephan Joubert says. “She worked for Boschendal as an intern, and a year later, she moved to Franschhoek and Backsberg. Within a year, she was appointed assistant winemaker for the two cellars. She’s task-orientated and ticks all the boxes to get things done orderly. She has a helpful nature and radiates passion and enthusiasm. She’s humble, curious, and has good relationships with everybody in the cellar.”
What sets Abbey apart is her ability to mix art and science to produce a different, exciting product every time. “I want to become a great winemaker who can change the South African wine industry and improve workers’ lives,” she says. “Looking back on my short career in the wine industry and the strong relationships I’ve forged with my winemaking mentors, I consider that my most significant industry accomplishment. I hope to follow the wine trail. Instead of striking a new path I hope to improve, grow and develop in the existing wine community to help improve our standing in the domestic and international markets. If I lead with love and care, I’ll continue to shape and improve the current path.”
Rapid fire Q&A
- Favourite wine ever tasted? Boekenhoutskloof Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon (I think the vintage was 2017).
- Favourite bingeworthy TV show? The Good Place
- Favourite pick-me-up song? Taylor Swift’s "Shake It Off"
- Least-known fact about you? I’m a ballroom and Latin dancer.
- Ideal holiday destination? Seeing Japan and spending time in that landscape and culture.
Connect with Abbey via LinkedIn.