About
After graduating from Stellenbosch University with a BSc in Viticulture and Oenology, I worked multiple vintages in Australia, France and Portugal. I then returned to my home ground and joined the winemaking team at Klein Constantia. In 2004 I was offered the opportunity of starting Anwilka wines in conjunction with Klein Constantia role-players and Bordeaux winemakers. The four invaluable years at Anwilka as well as my international experience gave me the confidence to start my brand, and in 2008 Trizanne Signature Wines Pty Ltd. was born. Since my first vintage, I was intrigued by two quite diverse South African wine regions, namely Elim and the Swartland. Since then I have grown my wine portfolio, specifically focusing on my affinity for the cooler climates of South Africa’s wine regions.
Apart from everything wine-related such as making, judging on various panels or just straightforward enjoyment, I also make time to surf whenever I get the opportunity. I reside in Kommetjie, a quaint village on the coast of the Southern Peninsula, where I am grateful to be a stone’s throw away from the beach and beautiful waves. Being in the ocean recharges me, and teaches me patience and respect for nature. In my free time when back home from travelling I also enjoy yoga, spending time with my boys, reading and gardening.
Our direction and endurance come from our faith which makes the impossible possible. Yet, throughout the years, I have found that this switch from the impossible to possible in creating a brand and establishing a business is rarely a solo game. There are always a lot of other roleplayers behind the scenes: my family, friends and team have helped create what today is known as Trizanne Signature Wines and I am proud of the journey I have walked with their inspiration at my side.
Region
Swartland:
In the Swartland summers are hot and dry, with colder, wet winters. Viticulture is practised mostly under dry-land conditions, with minimal irrigation. This, coupled with the Mediterranean climate is ideal for Syrah and Grenache and produces low yields of small but intensely flavoured berries.
This area is further distinguished from other wine production regions by virtue of the variety of its soils such as granite, shale, clay, and slate, which lend great structure and diversity to wines grown here.
Elim:
The Elim ward, situated on this peninsula, derives its name from the Moravian Mission Station in Elim – a quaint little town with thatched cottages, the heart of which is the Moravian church. The name Elim, meaning “place of God” originates from a biblical reference in Exodus 15:27. After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites came to Elim, where they found twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and camped near the water.
The unique terroir of the Elim ward with its prevailing winds provides a very cool ripening season, ideal for Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.
The area has diverse soils ranging from sandstone, to cold laterite and broken shale, ensuring low yields and imparting minerality, depth and structure to the wines of this area. Elim forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, and is an environmentally sensitive area where wine production goes hand in hand with the protection of indigenous species. The area receives approximately 450mm of rainfall per annum and has predominant South Easterly winds in the summer and North Westerly winds during the winter months.
Why these regions:
By sourcing and selecting vineyard parcels from each of these areas, and pairing them with the most suitable varieties, I have produced four wines that embody the best of these unique and diverse regions.
