A Burden for Simonsig

Debbie Burden has won the title of South Africa's Woman Winemaker of the Year 2005 for her Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2003. The Woman Winemaker of the Year Award aims to raise awareness for the new generation of young, upcoming female winemakers, giving them confidence to assume a more visible role outside the confines of the cellar.

29 May 2005

This year 26 winemakers entered this competition with a shortlist of six semi-finalists.

Burden, along with her Simonsig peers, received top honours for the Merindol Syrah 2001, crowned South Africa's top Shiraz at the inaugural WINE Magazine TOPS at SPAR Shiraz Challenge 2004.

"One should not mess too much with what Mother Nature has in mind," says Burden. "Albeit a feminine rosé or a more muscular Shiraz, the quality of the wine should not be overshadowed by its craftsman. Wine lovers should buy wines that suit their specific tastes and for this reason only."

Qualifying with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSc Agric) specialising in Oenology from the University of Stellenbosch, Burden cut her winemaking teeth at Hazendal Estate (1999 harvest) before joining Simonsig, where she works in close partnership with acclaimed winemaker Johan Malan.

She believes that winemaking is all about balance - having the right amount of skin contact during fermentation to extract flavour and colour without getting too much tannin; leaving the wine to age in barrels for the optimal length of time to soften the tannins and adding the flavour of oak without overpowering the delicate flavours of the fruit.