From accidental menu mishaps in Corsica to transforming baboon-related harvest challenges into a celebrated wine brand, Wikus Pretorius's journey to becoming La Petite Ferme's winemaker is anything but conventional. This is a tale of innovation, resilience, and authentic luxury in every bottle.
"Nature doesn't care about your preconceived plans. You need to follow and trust Mother Nature, not fight her."
From marketing maven to wine master
In the competitive world of winemaking, Wikus Pretorius stands out not just for his wines but for his unconventional path to the cellar. Without formal winemaking qualifications, he carved his own route through the vineyards of the world, learning his craft hands-on in places as diverse as Corsica, California, and Australia. "This is the wonderful thing about winemaking," he reflects, "you get to travel the world and experience so many different regions, terroirs, cultures, and of course, wines."
Working alongside some of the industry's most accomplished vintners, he absorbed both positive and negative lessons, gradually developing his own distinctive style.
At La Petite Ferme, this accumulated wisdom has given him the confidence to express not only what Franschhoek's terroir can offer but also his own identity as a winemaker and individual.
Learning from nature's classroom
His time in Corsica proved particularly formative, though not without its challenges – including some memorable menu mishaps while navigating the language barrier.
More importantly, the island's dramatically varying terroirs and mercurial weather patterns taught him a fundamental lesson about winemaking: "Nature doesn't care about your preconceived plans," he says. "You need to follow and trust Mother Nature, not fight her."
This insight would later become the cornerstone of his winemaking philosophy, teaching him the value of adaptability and respect for natural processes.
Co-creating with nature at La Petite Ferme
This philosophy of working in harmony with nature has become central to his approach at La Petite Ferme in Franschhoek, South Africa.
"Making wine is creating something from nature – we cannot get away from this fact," Pretorius explains. "Being successful as a winemaker is determined by how quickly you grasp this concept."
At La Petite Ferme, each vintage is treated as a unique window into that year's natural conditions, with winemaking practices adapted to suit the season's particular characteristics. While there are fundamental principles guiding grape production, Wikus views these as flexible guidelines rather than rigid rules, allowing each season's unique character to shape the final wine.
The Baboon Rock story: Turning challenges into opportunities
Perhaps nowhere is this philosophy better illustrated than in the story behind the winery's Baboon Rock range. When Chacma baboons began helping themselves to up to 40% of the Chardonnay harvest from vineyards on the Middagkrans Mountain slopes, Wikus didn't see it as a setback.
Instead, he embraced the situation, sourcing alternative Chardonnay grapes from Robertson's lime-rich soils and creating the Baboon Rock brand – a perfect example of turning a challenge into an opportunity. The brand has since evolved into one of the winery's most dynamic labels, recently undergoing a thoughtful refresh that better reflects its broad appeal while maintaining its distinctive character.
Conservation through collaboration
This experience led to a meaningful partnership with Baboon Matters, a conservation organisation dedicated to protecting Chacma baboons. The collaboration, sparked by an immediate connection with founder Jenni Trethowan, goes beyond mere branding – it includes practical support for emergency care of injured baboons and efforts to raise awareness about their declining numbers.
A key mission of the partnership is to challenge the common misconception that Chacma baboons don't need protection simply because they're not on the endangered list.
The recently refreshed Baboon Rock wine range reflects this commitment, with new label designs that embody La Petite Ferme's philosophy of "Authentic Luxury" while highlighting the intricate relationship between winemaking and nature conservation.
Marketing meets winemaking
Wikus's background in marketing has proved invaluable in the competitive wine industry. "I always say that making wine is the 'easy' part. Selling it is a whole different beast," he notes.
His approach focuses on storytelling that creates personal connections between consumers and the brand. "They need to feel, see, and taste your passion for the product that you created. If you get that right, half the battle is won." This understanding of both the creative and commercial aspects of winemaking gives him a unique advantage in an increasingly competitive market.
Living each day with purpose
A near-fatal helicopter crash in Namibia gave Pretorius a profound appreciation for life's daily moments. While the experience didn't directly influence his winemaking, it reinforced the importance of savouring every day and not getting caught up in life's negative aspects.
"We get caught up in the negative things of day-to-day life," he reflects, "and it's easy to miss out on the great things and people around us."
This perspective seems to infuse his whole approach to winemaking – embracing challenges, working with nature rather than against it, and creating wines that tell authentic stories.
Today at La Petite Ferme, Pretorius continues to craft wines that reflect both their terroir and his journey. His story demonstrates that sometimes the most interesting wines come from winemakers who take the road less travelled, bringing fresh perspectives and a willingness to learn from every experience– whether it's a challenging harvest, an encounter with local wildlife, or nature's unexpected turns.
Through it all, his commitment to authenticity and respect for nature's wisdom continue to shape both his wines and his approach to life.