Dylan de Haas (27) initially dabbled in finance and marketing at university. He had no interest in wine but this changed dramatically when he started working as a tasting room ambassador at Waterford Estate, where his initial knowledge barely extended beyond recognising Sauvignon Blanc as a varietal. However, he immersed himself in the vibrant atmosphere and his colleagues quickly became cherished friends who completely changed his perspective of wine, instilling in him a strong appreciation of wine.
Three years later, his journey took an exciting turn when he was offered the position of tasting room manager at Marianne Wine Estate. He saw an opportunity to refine and elevate Marianne’s operations, bringing structure and innovation to the heart of the farm’s tasting experience.
Interacting with people is what he enjoys most about his job. “You can’t determine a person’s background, yet the shared appreciation of wine invariably fosters connections,” he says. “I’ve had the privilege of hearing fascinating stories from people from all over the world. If I can leave a lasting impression on these visitors, ensuring they leave with fond memories of South Africa, I will consider my efforts a success.”
Dylan holds Waterford Estate’s largest single sale through the tasting room of just under half a million rand, marking a notable achievement in his career thus far. He also had the privilege of being selected to take Adrian Newey, chief technology officer of the Red Bull Racing F1 team, for a drive around Waterford Estate.
People who’ve been mentors along Dylan’s wine journey include Jeremy Maarschalk, public relations and social media manager at Waterford Estate; Werner Els, food and beverage manager at Muratie Wine Estate; and Brandon Engelbrecht, tasting room floor manager at Waterford Estate. He says their positivity and patience significantly contributed to expanding his wine knowledge and sales techniques.
“Dylan is incredibly friendly and outgoing, and has a strong work ethic,” Jeremy says. “Working with him, I had some of the most fun ever. He’s always chipper and quick witted which keeps you smiling all day while working on the little things that ensure the whole operation runs smoothly.”
Being immersed in the vibrant South African wine community is immensely exciting, Dylan says. He believes a shared passion for wine unites everyone, fostering a sense of wholesomeness that permeates the entire industry. Dylan’s ambition is to venture into international wine distribution with a focus on supporting smaller wine farms in South Africa. “I’d like to establish a personalised distribution channel targeting restaurants in America and Europe, and introducing them to niche South African wines.” He intends completing his WSET level 3 this year and leveraging the internationally recognised prestige of the course certification to advance his career goals.
Rapid fire Q&A
- Favourite wine ever tasted? Waterford Estate The Jem 2015
- Favourite bingeworthy TV show? The Rookie
- Favourite pick-me-up song? "Run" by OneRepublic
- Least-known fact about you? I’ve always wanted to be a pilot and hope to get my pilot’s license one day.
- Ideal holiday destination? Mauritius or Italy.
Follow Dylan's journey via Instagram at @h44sie.