All is well at Distell as head winemaker appointment announced

Newly appointed head winemaker at Distell, Razvan Macici.

Cellar master Razvan Macici, who leaves behind a successful 15-vintage career at Nederburg, has been chosen to fill this position. He will also serve as a roving wine ambassador for the company, liaising with critics, influencers and the trade in major markets.

Distell's primary production director, Johan Venter, said the appointment was a key step in advancing the company's wine business and standing. "Fine wine in particular is assuming a growing significance in our portfolio as we develop and expand markets globally. The new position will provide an additional impetus to stimulate and steer winemaking excellence, enhancing our competitive advantage. "

Macici will continue to influence Nederburg's winemaking, but will now also influence other wine ranges in the company, from Alto to Zonnebloem. Amongst the many other brands to benefit from his expertise would be Durbanville Hills, Plaisir de Merle, Le Bonheur, Uitkyk, Stellenzicht and Neethlingshof. He would also be working very closely with all the viticulturists involved.

Macici's move, effective from 1 July, will result in other changes within the company's cellar management structures.

Andrea Freeborough will succeed Macici. She returns to Nederburg after a decade as head of Die Bergkelder, where she has earned considerable international kudos for many Fleur du Cap wines and has overseen top-performing brands in Die Bergkelder stable such as the highly awarded Lomond. Before her role at Die Bergkelder, she made Nederburg's white wines under Macici for more than four years.

Venter said she was the obvious choice to lead a big team and create both specialty and wines that are more popular after having proven her ability at Die Bergkelder.

Commenting on his successor, Macici said, "Andrea is an outstanding winemaker and colleague. We have always worked extremely well together and after my decade-and-a-half at Nederburg, I can think of no better person to continue the journey from here."

Wim Truter, currently Die Bergkelder's red-wine maker and formerly white-wine maker at Nederburg, will fill her position. He brings extensive international exposure to his new position. With a prestigious Erasmus Mundus international master's degree in vintage, vine, wine and terroir management, he has also worked in the US and Australia.

Venter confirmed that at the end of October, when Distell's group general manager: winemaking, Callie van Niekerk retires, Deon Boshoff, currently cellar master of Adam Tas, will succeed him. With his promotion, Elize Coetzee, who makes the white wines at Adam Tas and is responsible for brands such as Zonnebloem and Place in the Sun, will become the new cellar master.