“I didn’t grow up in a home that appreciated wine much,” Luyolo Mtiyane (29) confesses, adding that her first introduction to wine was as a member of the student wine society at the University of Cape Town. There she discovered that wine was more than just a beverage, it was a culture, a science, a means of socialising and a hobby.
Determined to explore more of the South African wine scene, she set herself the goal of visiting 100 wine farms before turning 30. She also created a wine club named Grape Gathering for like-minded people to join her on her journey. Consisting of a group of 15 young black women who’ve moved to Cape Town, the club meets up on the first Sunday of the month at a predetermined wine farm. The club has become a place to forge new relationships while visiting beautiful wineries and tasting their wine. With the regions of Stellenbosch, Constantia and Hemel-en-Aarde covered, Luyolo has her sights set on the Swartland, Paarl, Wellington, Tulbagh, Ceres, Worcester and Robertson regions to visit over the next few years.
Her guiding lights in the industry have been Kunye, The Wine Wise, an organisation led by Cassidy Dart MW, and wine blogger Cape of Good Wine (WSET Dip). Attending their month-long workshop last year instilled in her a belief in her potential and awareness of the importance of diversity and representation in the industry. “As a black woman, Cape of Good Wine inspired me,” she says. “She supported me, taught me and gave me the confidence to get into this industry. It’s an honour to know her.”
Luyolo has ambitious dreams for her wine career. “I want to complete my WSET level 3,” she says, outlining her aspirations to further her knowledge and expertise. “My goal in this industry is to use wine to build and cultivate community, and to inspire others to follow their dreams and passions,” she says.
Her most memorable wine experience was attending the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) junior sommelier practical training course last year in preparation for the junior sommelier exam. She’d had no prior wine service training so the course was physically taxing. “My hands and arms were very weak and I struggled with the most mundane tasks,” she says. “Our trainer, Jean Vincent Ridon, was concerned about my abilities but I managed to pass the practical exam. Fast forward to a Friday evening at Cooper Wine Bar and Jean Vincent stopped by for a glass of wine. I was very excited to show him that I’d incorporated his teachings into my daily work. He was impressed.”
Rapid fire Q&A
- Favourite wine ever tasted? Gaja Conteisa 2007
- Favourite bingeworthy TV show? Grey’s Anatomy
- Favourite pick-me-up song? "Messages from Her" by Sabrina Claudio
- Least-known fact about you? I used to play the violin and played in an orchestra. I would love to go back to it soon.
- Ideal holiday destination? Santorini, Greece
Join Luyolo's community by following her on Instagram as @alot_of_wyn and TikTok as @alot_of_wyn.