Cape Winemakers Guild inducts two new members

Pretorius has enjoyed a successful career at Steenberg Vineyards spanning 10 years, while O’Keefe is owner/ winemaker of Lismore Estate Vineyards in Greyton. O’Keefe is the sixth woman to be inducted into the Guild and brings the current membership of women to three, alongside Rianie Strydom and Andrea Mullineux.

New CWG members JD Pretorius and Samantha O'Keefe with CWG Chairman Boela Gerber

O’Keefe is responsible for establishing Greyton’s cool-climate region, previously unknown to grape growing, as a recognised wine appellation.
Her wines are regarded across the globe and acclaimed by international commentators the likes of Jancis Robinson, Neal Martin and Tim Atkin with consistently high ratings across her entire wine range reaching top scores of 97/100.

For the last five years, O’Keefe’s wines have been on many "Wines of the Year" lists both internationally and within South Africa and have been featured in leading international publications such as Decanter and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

With a BA degree in political science from the University of California at Berkeley, and extensive experience in business, marketing, and the television industry while working in Los Angeles, O’Keefe brings a diverse skill set to the Guild.

Pretorius, who joins Warwick in Stellenbosch as cellar master after completing his last harvest at Steenberg in May 2019, has had a phenomenal year.

In addition to his second Platter’s five-star wine, Pretorius bagged the Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc Trophy at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, and boasts a 94/100 rating from Tim Atkin for the fifth consecutive year for Steenberg’s Flagship Magna Carta.

In 2014 Pretorius won the coveted title of Diner’s Club Young Winemaker of the Year for his Steenberg Merlot.

Membership of the Guild is by invitation only and is extended to winemakers who have been responsible for the production of outstanding wines for a minimum of five years, and who continue to do so.