Roelof van Schalkwyk

After testing the waters in different industries, uncertain of what he wanted to do after high school, Roelof found himself at Klawer Wine Cellars (near his home town, Vredendal), working as a cellar assistant during the 1999 harvest. This is where he discovered a love for the art of crafting wines.

His enthusiastic efforts and hard work were recognised, and soon he was promoted to assistant winemaker. In 2001, he went abroad to work as a harvest intern at a Californian cellar, Rosenblum Winery. He found that the experience very educational and valuable. Back home, he continued broadening his skills by learning from his peers, studying Winemaking Management at the University of Stellenbosch Business School, and doing other short courses.

He was promoted to red winemaker at Klawer Wine Cellars not long thereafter. He now concentrates on making the best wine possible from the grapes that Mother Nature gives each year and he strives to build and maintain good client relationships.