Danie Steytler (Kaapzicht), Marché Hendriks, Graham Weerts (Capensis), Jason Plaatjies, JD Pretorius (CWG chairperson), Reneilwe Senosha, and Wim Truter (Meerlust Estate).
The Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) is thrilled to welcome three new members, as well as a new chairperson on board for 2026. The new year will also see three aspiring young winemakers kicking off the first of their three-year Protégé Programme journey.
Danie Steytler from Kaapzicht Wine Estate, Graham Weerts from Capensis, and Wim Truter from Meerlust Estate are entering the Guild as new members, while JD Pretorius will be taking over the reins of chairperson from Samantha O’Keefe.
Aiming to nurture excellence in the art and science of winemaking, Cape Winemakers Guild membership is by invitation only. The addition of Steytler, Weerts and Truter brings the current membership total to 45.
Danie Steytler follows in the footsteps of his late father, Danie Steytler Snr, bringing passion, authenticity, and energy to his craft, as well as a commitment to sharing knowledge with and shaping the next generation of South African winemakers.
Steytler Jnr has built a formidable awards track record across Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Cape Blends, with multiple Platter’s 5-Star ratings, as well as consistent 95–96-point scores from Tim Atkin MW. Under his leadership, Kaapzicht continues to deliver benchmark expressions that attract both critical acclaim and international interest.
“Being selected to join the Cape Winemakers Guild is an incredible honour. It’s a milestone I’ve always hoped to achieve – not only as a winemaker, but as a son following in my father’s footsteps,” says Steytler Jnr. “Becoming part of the Guild feels like ticking one of the most meaningful boxes of my career. I’m deeply proud and extremely excited for the journey ahead.”
A regular judge and cultivar specialist, Graham Weerts’ reputation for precision and terroir-driven Chardonnay has positioned him as a significant international ambassador for South African wine. His Capensis wines have earned Decanter 96 points, Platter’s 5-Star ratings, Gold at the Global Chardonnay Masters, and extraordinary Tim Atkin scores up to 98 points for the Capensis Western Cape Chardonnay 2021. Highly respected by peers, he brings experience, connections, and passion to strengthen the Cape Winemakers Guild.
“It’s hard to describe how honoured and humbled I am to walk in the footsteps of some of the greatest names in the world of wine. The depth of knowledge and history within the Guild is immense; it contributes to the health of the South African wine industry in an incalculable way, hopefully, I can contribute to that over time,” says Weerts.
With international training and deep technical expertise, Wim Truter has strengthened Meerlust Estate’s longstanding reputation by guiding a significant renewal of both vineyard and cellar practices. This reinvestment has supported the creation of exceptional recent vintages, including the Rubicon 2020 and 2021, which received 96 and 98 points respectively from Tim Atkin MW, along with Platter’s 5-Star recognition. His work on Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon has also earned 95 points from Tim Atkin, underscoring the estate’s continued place among South Africa’s most celebrated producers.
“I’m thankful for the incredible opportunity to join the ranks of such an amazing list of winemakers and people,” says Truter. “Looking forward to collaborating, learning and being an ambassador for our farm and industry.”
Says JD Pretorius, Cape Winemakers Guild chairperson: “I am very pleased with the new members joining the CWG. Collectively, they bring a strong depth of experience to the Guild, from high-level international exposure to valuable local family heritage. I am confident they will make an important contribution to our membership.
It is also always a pleasure to welcome a new group of protégés. Their energy, enthusiasm, and readiness to start this journey are truly inspiring, and I am confident they will make us very proud.”
Selected from dozens of recent graduates who applied for the Protégé Programme, Jason Plaatjies, Marché Hendricks and Reneilwe Senosha are excited to start their winemaking journey under the mentorship of Cape Winemakers Guild members.
The Protégé Programme is the Cape Winemakers Guild’s contribution to the transformation of South Africa’s wine industry and serves as an opportunity for members to transfer knowledge and skills to the next generation of dynamic young winemakers.
Since its inception in 2006, the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme has established itself as the most successful skills development programme in the South African wine industry. During the course of the three-year programme, Protégés are assigned mentors from among the Cape Winemakers Guild members. They spend every year working alongside a different mentor to gain as much experience as possible.
So far, 41 protégés have completed the three-year internship, ten are currently participating in this ongoing programme, and 22 now either hold leading winemaking roles or have their own winemaking projects.
Hailing from Gordon’s Bay, Jason Plaatjies is a Stellenbosch University graduate with a BSc Agric in Viticulture and Oenology.
“I’m driven by a deep fascination with the intersection of science and creative expression in winemaking,” he says. “Inspired by the challenge of balancing aroma, flavour, colour and texture, I see each wine as an opportunity to craft something meaningful and unique.” Jason is currently being mentored by Alex Starey at Keermont, where he continues to refine his craft and strengthen his understanding of terroir-driven wines.
Born and raised in Paarl, Marché Hendricks is an Elsenburg Agricultural College graduate with a Diploma in Cellar Technology, whose journey into winemaking began during her internship under Mahalia Kotjane – a former CWG Protégé – at Lievland.
“What excites me most about winemaking is the hands-on, hardworking nature of the industry: getting my hands dirty, being physically involved in the process, and collaborating with a team to bring each vintage to life,” she says. “I embrace the fact that no two vintages are ever the same, viewing each year as an opportunity to learn, grow, and refine my craft.” Marché will be mentored by JD Pretorius at Warwick Wine Estate for her first year as a CWG Protégé.
Reneilwe Senosha is an Elsenburg Agricultural College graduate with a Bachelor of Agriculture degree, whose passion for winemaking grew from her love of nature, farming, and the cultural stories woven into every bottle of wine. She is originally from Polokwane, Limpopo and will be mentored by Warren Ellis at Neil Ellis Wines in 2026.
“I am energised by the collaborative, scientific, and creative aspects of winemaking,” says Reneilwe. “The future of sustainable winemaking is of particular interest to me. I’m eager to contribute to environmentally responsible practices that support long-term industry growth.”
After the hard-won successes of 2025, the Cape Winemakers Guild wishes its members and protégés – both new and established – as well as its supporters, a rollicking good start to 2026.
