Ntsiki Biyela

Ntsiki Biyela (born 1978) is a South African winemaker and businesswoman who runs Aslina wines.[1] Previously, she was head winemaker at Stellekaya Wines, where Biyela became the first black female winemaker in South Africa.[2]

Ntsiki Biyela
Born1978
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
EducationStellenbosch University
Occupationwinemaker
Years active2004–present

Biography

Biyela grew up in Mahlabathini in Zululand.[3] Having made a number of unsuccessful grant applications to study at university, she was offered the opportunity to study viticulture and oenology at Stellenbosch University in 1998 by South African Airways, who were providing a number of wine making scholarships.[4][5] She was able to attend university on a full scholarship.[1]

Biyela had never tasted wine prior to starting her studies, but soon came to love what she describes as "the ever-changing content of wine." Her lectures were primarily delivered in Afrikaans, which she did not speak, so Biyela learnt the majority of the winemaking content via English notes. She was also able to get a part-time job at local winery Delheim.[4]

In 2009 Biyela was named as South Africa’s Woman Winemaker of the Year.[4]

Stellekaya Wines

After graduating from Stellenbosch University, Biyela was hired as winemaker for Stellekaya Wines in 2004,[6] making her the first black female winemaker in South Africa.[7] Her first red wine won a gold medal at the Michelangelo awards.[4]

In 2016 Biyela announced that she has plans to leave Stellekaya and start her own brand of wine later in the year.[5]

Aslina Wines

In 2017, Biyela launched Aslina wines, a self-funded wine business.[2] As the company begins producing wine, Biyela will be using grapes from local vineyards, as she does not have the capital to invest in her own vineyard.[8] There will be four Aslina varietals: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a Bordeaux blend that will echo her 2014 collaboration with California winemaker Helen Keplinger.[9]

References
  1. Deitch, Edward (2017-04-07). "South Africa's first black female winemaker launches her own brand". NBC News. Retrieved 2017-05-11.
  2. Kravitz, Melissa. "Add Ntsiki Biyela, South Africa's First Black Female Winemaker, To Your List of Winemakers To Follow". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-05-11.
  3. Kara Newman (28 July 2015). "5 Questions for Africa's First Black Female Winemaker". Wine Enthusiast. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  4. Barry Bearak (26 August 2011). "South African Goes From Never a Sip to Vineyard Fame". New York Times. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  5. Eleni Giokos (24 February 2016). "South Africa's first black female winemaker ready to go it alone". CNN Money. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  6. Tim James (2013). Wines of the New South Africa: Tradition and Revolution. University of California Press. p. 165. ISBN 0520954831. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  7. Rohit Kachroo (28 May 2014). "South Africa's first black female winemaker". ITV News. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  8. Flowers, Jenn (2017-04-20). "Meet South Africa's First Black Female Winemaker". AFAR Media. Retrieved 2017-05-11.
  9. Stone, Ilana Sharlin (2016-12-22). "Cutting-Edge Wine: South Africa's First Black Female Winemaker Goes Solo | Ilana Sharlin Stone". Zester Daily. Retrieved 2017-05-11.
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