Skills shortages in South Africa
2010-02-25JSE-listed staffing services provider kelly group had been struggling to attract skilled people in the business intelligence and high end information technology fields forcing the company to search internationally. more
South African wine industry
2010-02-09The South African wine industry currently provides direct employment for close on 276 000 people. more
« Back | Home » At work with Ntsiki Biyela: Winemaker
At work with Ntsiki Biyela: Winemaker
Ms Biyela is a winemaket at the Stellekaya Winery. This 28 year old is South Africa's first black female vintner. She gave us some of her valuable time to answer a few questions.
I don’t do one thing, it’s a chain of different exciting things depending on the time of the year.
Before I studying winemaking, I worked as a housekeeper (pr call it maid)
It was a phase where everyone was thinking of engineering, I wanted chemical engineering
Yes! It’s a BSc Degree in Viticulture and Oenology
Stellenbosch University
I got a scholarship to study, had no money, so it was an opportunity that came by.
It is a 4yr degree, practical work is important. I do attend workshops as there is always new researched work. I did a harvest in 2005 in France for two months, visited Californian wineries to learn how they make wines that side and to see if there is anything interesting.
No, I was willing to do it in France but they decided to pay me.
It was from training I did at Delhiem wines while I was studying that striked an interest .
Harvesting season: Visiting vineyards to check the ripeness of the grapes to decide when to harvest, overseeing crushing and sorting of the grapes, checking the fermenting wine how far is it before the separation of the wine and the skins. Overseeing separation of the wine and the skins. Wine transfers to the barrels, selecting barrels for different wines. Monitoring the secondary fermentation in the barrels and when finished rack the wines, do necessary adjustments and put the wine back to barrels for maturation.
After harvest: Monthly tasting and monitoring the health of the wine, blending and selecting the wines for different blends and batches. Preparing wines for bottling, bottling and labeling. Visiting clients, and doing some overseas trips to visit clients. Preparing for the following year’s harvest.
Balling metres, pumps, tanks, destemmers , crushers and sorting tables, presser, pipes, barrels, tasting buds etc.
Yes.
I work office hours, but harvest season has a lot of hours, it requires from morning till late, it differs with wineries. It can be from 6 or 7am to 12 or 2am, some even has to come as early as 4am. Harvest time is very busy and you clock when the work for the day is done which is most not early.
Relaxed environment.
What is the dress code for your job?
Jeans and t-shirt, shorts and safety boots or shoes.
What can one expect to earn as a starting salary in this career?
It depends on the company whether it is big or small.
What are the prospects for career growth?
The growth I see for myself is to be the best winemaker. There are also opportunities to get further qualifications and run a wine making whole company.
Does your job include travelling?
Yes, local and overseas.
Describe the kind of person that you think most suits this type of work
A person who is open friendly, like talking to people because the job involved you as a winemaker to be more close to the clients, and don’t be scared of socializing (mingling).
Do you have any tips for people thinking about this career?
If a person wants think of this kind of work, think more of satisfaction than money because in job you don’t earn a lot of money like other industries.
Are there opportunities for entrepreneurs in this field?
Yes, I would think so. You could have your own brand or run other projects that are needed in the industry
Do you have hobbies?
Yes, swimming which I only learned ho to do last year December, reading and I’m starting slowly to do 10 km races.
