Benguela Cove Winemaker Shortlisted for Diners Club Award

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate winemaker Michelle Waldeck is one of six talented wine professionals, under the age of 30, shortlisted for the Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year award. She is nominated for the estate’s 2019 Benguela Cove Catalina Sémillon, a single-vineyard wine that encapsulates the cool-climate elegance of the Walker Bay region. The winner will be announced at an awards event on 14th November at the Arabella Hotel, Hermanus.

“This nomination reflects the dedication of our whole team at Benguela Cove. I’m especially grateful to my mentor, head winemaker Johann Fourie, and estate owner Penny Streeter for their guidance and for giving me the opportunity to grow as a winemaker here,” says Waldeck.

Benguela Cove is the largest cool-climate wine producer in Walker Bay, a region prized for its maritime conditions, ideal for cultivating aromatic white varieties like Sémillon. Made from a 0.9-hectare southeast-facing vineyard at the edge of the ocean, the Catalina Sémillon exhibits racy acidity and flavours of lime blossom, green apple and wet stone.

The name of the range comes from the Catalina warplanes that operated during World War II from the lagoon where the winery now stands. It showcases Benguela Cove’s commitment to crafting wines that authentically express Walker Bay’s distinct terroir, she says.

Waldeck’s journey into winemaking began during school in the nearby Swartland region, where the vineyards engaged her curiosity. She studied Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University, initially focusing on the growing side of wine production. But during her final year, the winemaking bug bit and the cellar became her happy place.

Before graduating and in a final year internship, Waldeck gained invaluable large-scale experience at KWV before joining Benguela Cove’s winemaking team, under the estate’s new ownership by the Streeter family. “I’ve been fortunate to help build this amazing brand from the ground up,” she said. “It’s been an incredible journey seeing Benguela Cove and its reputation grow as my own skills have developed.”

For Waldeck, both the rewards and challenges of winemaking come from vintage to vintage. “Each growing season brings new surprises, so being adaptable is key,” she remarked. “The most rewarding feeling is seeing people enjoy your wine - knowing it brought them together.” 

As a young woman in a male-dominated profession, Waldeck acknowledges gender biases persist in the wider industry, but focuses on proving them wrong through dedication to her craft. “It’s up to female wine professionals to persevere and show our capabilities,” she stated.

Waldeck is excited by the evolution of South Africa’s wine industry. In reaction to climate change, experimentation with new grape varieties and styles offers wine lovers an even broader diversity of South African wines to try.

Most of all, Waldeck wants consumers worldwide to appreciate Walker Bay’s terroir expressed in Benguela Cove’s single-vineyard wines. “Our cool climate contributes to their vibrant acidity, fresh fruit flavours and sense of place,” she explained. “You can’t mistake their origin when you pick up a glass.”

With a bright future ahead, Waldeck looks forward to upcoming projects like the launch next year of the first wines from ‘sister’ vineyard Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens in the UK, also owned by the Streeters. Meanwhile, she will continue to represent and grow the reputation of her homeland’s wines. “I want to play an active role in initiatives that will further develop Brand South Africa,” she states.

With the production of 350,000 bottles annually, Benguela Cove crafts an extensive portfolio showcasing Walker Bay's cool climate terroir. The range includes the Estate, Lighthouse Collection, Vinography, and Catalina tiers.

These encompass Methode Cap Classique, Rosé, red and white blends, and single varietal bottlings. The diversity stems from the array of grape cultivars grown on the estate's vines. For white wines, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay form the base along with aromatic supporting roles from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Cap Classiques.

Reds are anchored by Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc, supplemented by Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir. This varied palette gives the winemaking team abundant options to produce meticulously crafted wines that authentically express Walker Bay. 

For more information: www.benguelacove.co.za 

Ends

Editors notes

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate, Hermanus, is a vineyard and wine tourism destination located in the Walker Bay region of South Africa. The Benguela Collection wine and hospitality group is owned by the Streeter family. The Benguela Collection includes Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens and Mannings Golf & Wine Estate in the UK.

It was founded by Penny Streeter OBE in 2013 when she acquired and developed the 543-acre Hermanus wine farm and residential estate at Benguela Cove, located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean at the start of the Hermanus Wine Route.

The cellar-door wine hospitality experience includes luxury oceanside villa accommodation with every modern facility, including en suite bedrooms and a private swimming pool. There is also the ‘Moody Lagoon’ Hermanus restaurant, a seafood and oyster bar and a popular wine-tasting pontoon tour with beautiful views across the tranquil lagoon, protected by a sandbar from the Atlantic Ocean.

Guests can book cheese and chocolate pairings, winemaking experiences, and enjoy a programme of major art exhibitions, music and other year-round events, as well as children’s entertainment.

Cultivars are Sauvignon Blanc 45%, Shiraz 25% and others, to create some of the best South African wines.

Vineyard - Acquired in 2013; 170 acres; First vines planted in 2004; 350,000 bottles produced per year.