Cheers! Season 2 of Die Wynmeester is here

It’s once again time for Die Wynmeester on VIA to uncork the country’s independent South African wine talent and let it breathe, as a good wine deserves.

This season, however, is about much more than just the art of creating a wine that everyone is talking about. There will be discussions on soil preparation, the role of irrigation, and how blending decisions are made. Even the bottles, artwork, and subtle messages of wine labels come under the spotlight.

The presenter is a familiar face, and for those in the Helderberg region of the Western Cape, a familiar voice too. It is once again Danie van der Merwe, and he will share the journey of six immensely talented independent winemakers with viewers – from the vineyard to the bottle, and whatever else might happen along the way.

Die Wynmeester celebrates the people whose craftsmanship and creativity are shaping a new generation of South African wines.

In the second season, the show delves even deeper into the fine art of winemaking. Viewers will learn more about terroir, cultivars, fermentation, food-and-wine pairing, social media, sales, and market positioning – and it is bound to make for interesting and insightful conversations over a glass of wine.

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The six independent winemakers

 

1. Andrew Mellish: Mellish Family Vineyards

Andrew is the owner and winemaker of the boutique wine producer Mellish Family Vineyards in the Durbanville Wine Valley, which is renowned for terroir-driven wines shaped by ancient shale soils and a cool coastal climate.

 

2. Andri Hanekom: DA Hanekom Familie Wyne

DA Hanekom Familie Wyne is also located in the Durbanville area, and this label is built on a deep respect for terroir and human effort. After a decade of working with vineyards and grapes across the Cape Winelands, Andri and his wife, Yvette, focus on wines made in limited volumes.

 

3. Anrico Solomons: Solomons Family Wines

Anrico represents Solomons Family Wines, bringing the cool-climate influence of Strandveld Cellar near Elim and Cape Agulhas to the competition. As a young winemaker working in Africa’s southernmost wine region, Anrico is part of a team making wines shaped by maritime winds, low yields, and intense flavour development.

 

4. Janco de Kock: Anco Wines

Janco is known for his quality-driven approach and has already achieved a 95-point rating at the FedEx Next Generation Awards for his Anco 2023. His wines reflect balance, freshness, texture, and a contemporary expression of vineyard character.

 

5. Lucinda Heyns: Illimis Wines

Lucinda brings a viticulturist’s perspective to the series. With experience in South Africa, California, and Italy, as well as a decade of hands-on work in vineyards and cellars under her belt, Lucinda believes that every wine begins in the vine and that every vintage should honour the potential of its specific location.

 

6. Mahalia Kotjane: Three Quarters Wines

Mahalia’s love for wine began with a school project on microorganisms and fermentation, after which she moved to the Western Cape to study agriculture and later built her career at wine estates such as Stark-Condé and Lievland Family Wines. Today, she works under her own label, focusing on wines made with as little intervention as possible.

 

What to expect from the series

Throughout the season, the winemakers are put to the test with challenges that reflect the real-world demands of the wine industry.

Among other tasks, they must:

1. Pair a wine with a secret dish.
2. Design a label and write a tasting note.
3. Prepare a cheese snack to pair with a Kleinood wine.
4. Create a social media video demonstrating the ceremonial art of sabrage, with well-known influencers Janey and Waney on hand to offer advice and judge their videos.

Viewers will also get an up-close look at the crucial phases of winemaking, from vineyards and irrigation to harvest time, fermentation, bottling, labelling, marketing, entrepreneurship, and sales.

The onus will lie on 30 members of the public to taste and vote for the winemakers’ wines. Abrie Beeslaar, head judge and the man described as one of the greatest winemakers in South Africa, will then award his final score to each of the entered wines to determine the Top 3 winemakers.

But that is not all. Naturally, another intriguing final challenge awaits these three before this season’s wine master can be crowned.

With a combination of competition, inspiration, knowledge, and personality, Die Wynmeester Season 2 is a toast to South African wine, the independent makers behind it, and the passion with which every bottle is filled.

‘Truly proud’

Charlize Odendaal, VIA’s head of commercial content and partnerships, also cannot wait to clink a glass to – and with – the winemakers.

“Die Wynmeester is a beautiful series that makes for wonderful viewing with truly interesting content. It offers viewers a lifestyle-oriented introduction to every part of the winemaking process and how it all comes together. It is a sponsored series of which we are truly proud,” she said.

 

 

More about Danie

1. You were previously a presenter at HelderbergFM 93.6. How easy was the leap from behind the microphone to in front of the camera for you?

Ultimately, I remain a storyteller, regardless of the platform. I loved radio and the instant gratification you get from hosting your show live, but there’s something beyond description about seeing your concept visually come to life on the screen.

The leap wasn’t too difficult, fortunately, especially when you’re privileged enough to work with a talented team that has years of experience.

2. Initially, the series was meant to have more of a documentary approach. Is the idea of a documentary about the wine industry still lingering somewhere in your mind? Or perhaps any other subject?

The concept originated around a table with excellent independent winemakers and their superb wines. I felt that more South Africans needed to know how much effort, hard work, art, and science go into winemaking so that they would be willing to buy a more premium wine and appreciate the art behind it.

I also realised that it has a niche market, which is why a reality series would make it more accessible to a broader audience.

3. How did you experience the first season of Die Wynmeester? Do you think it brought the average person to new insights about the true art of winemaking?

I truly believe everyone who watched the first season learned something new about the art, yes. Of course, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and everyone has their own interests, but we are working with extraordinary people, and each of them has their own unique story.

Behind every label, there is a story of hardship, hope, love, and growth – so even if the winemaking process doesn’t necessarily speak to everyone, I believe viewers will certainly be able to relate to the participants’ experiences and philosophy of life.

4. Where does your interest in the wine industry come from? And is it something you would like to expand on even further in the future?

Look, at university we drank Tassenberg (and sometimes even mixed it with Coke for a katemba), but I grew up in a house with parents who loved their wine. Along with that, wine has always had an elegance to me. I tried to gradually learn more about wine.

It’s only recently that I’ve started tasting wine rather than just drinking it. The more wine tasting you do, and the more you truly focus your attention on the aroma and taste, the more your palate develops and the more appreciation you gain for good wine. I would love to expand my knowledge further with workshops and qualifications in this direction.

5. It is refreshing to see women among the winemakers as well. Perhaps an unfair question – but does their approach to the winemaking process differ from that of the men? Do they perhaps employ more intuition alongside the scientific approach?

I think there is still a big misconception that it’s a man’s world, and although there are more men in the field, we have excellent female winemakers who don’t have to take a back seat to anyone in the industry.

They have to overcome the exact same challenges, put in the hard work themselves, and prove their mettle. What is extremely striking to me is the mutual respect among the winemakers regardless of ethnicity, gender, or background.

6. Which wine is your favourite for a nice get-together with friends around a braai? And which one would you choose if you really wanted to impress someone (not necessarily in terms of price, but quality)?

At this stage, I’m really enjoying the Cape Agulhas region’s wines with their fresh seashell and fynbos character, which is a beautiful reflection of the minerality of that area’s terroir. Specifically, The Giant Periwinkle Blanc Fumé North by Pierre Rabie, with its beautiful, full mouthfeel that lingers long and comfortably on your palate.

If I want to impress someone, it would be one of Arno Smith’s wines. He currently has only single-varietal wines, and his winemaking philosophy is focused on quality, unlocking the optimal flavours and aromas of every grape.

My favourite? Saartjie Cabernet Franc.

Who was SA’s first wine master?

Xander Grier, the winemaker of Salt Rock Wines near Somerset West, was named VIA’s first wine master in October 2025. He also has his own label, Stand Alone.

The Top 3 consisted of Xander, Jasper Wickens of Swerwer Wines (Waterval near Malmesbury), and Banele Vakele of Tembela Wines (based in Cape Town).

Die Wynmeester will be broadcast from Thursday 16 July at 20:30 on VIA (DStv channel 147).

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