Asara appoints Danielle le Roux as winemaker

Danielle was previously the winemaker at Lyngrove Wines in Stellenbosch. She has a Bsc in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Stellenbosch, having graduated in 1999. Following graduation she worked in various wine industry jobs locally and overseas, including at harvests in Bordeaux, Tuscany and California. From April 2002 she was the winemaker at Sentinel Vineyards in Stellenbosch, before signing on at Lyngrove in June 2006.

Danielle has been a Cape Wine Master since 2009, and is a graduate of the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy. She is the convener for the Merlot tasting panels at the Veritas Awards and Young Wine Show, and is Chairperson of the Merlot Forum. She is involved in regular wine judging at, among others, Veritas and the Young Wine Show, and is an occasional contributor to various wine magazines.

Danielle grew up on her family’s sheep and wheat farm in the Overberg, and knew from an early age that she wanted to work outdoors and with nature. She is married to Jacques and has two young sons, who she has already started to introduce to the enjoyment of wine. She claims that the youngest, a four year old, is showing definite signs of a discerning palate.

She is so passionate about wine that when not working Danielle hosts a wine tasting group, and makes a garage wine with friends. She also enjoys the odd travelling and camping trip with her family in Africa (but is careful to take lots of wine along).

Danielle’s preference is for elegant wines that naturally express their varietal and terroir. She has a clear idea of the direction in which she would like to take Asara wines, and will be supported in her efforts by assistant –winemaker Dirk Tredoux, farm manager and viticulturalist Alan Cockcroft, and Alan’s assistant William Bussell.

Asara Estate Manager Pete Gottgens comments: “Danielle is an ideal match for Asara. Her appointment heralds a new era at Asara wines, and we are delighted to have her at the head of our winemaking team.”