ERIKA OBERMEYER from Graham Beck Vineyards in Franschhoek was crowned SA Woman Winemaker of the Year last week to win a trip to Bordeaux.
Erika beat a record number of 63 entries in this year’s competition, which is sponsored by Landbouweekblad.
Erika impressed the judges with her The Joshua 2006, a blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier.
When asked why she decided on winemaking as a career choice, she said: “I grew up on a sheep farm, outside Sutherland, and nature has always been in my blood.
“In winemaking I discovered a career path where I could combine my passion for science with that of nature, I wanted to become a doctor, but then I went on a wine tour with some friends at university, and realised I belong in a wine cellar.”
Erika completed an honours degree in wine biotechnology at the University of Stellenbosch.
“My winemaking style is to really capture the essence of the vineyard in the bottle. Work with what you’ve got and don’t force the wine.
“In the cellar you have the tools to shape what the vineyard gives you into a beautiful wine, but for this you need to know your vines really well,” she explains.
Erika started working at Graham Beck in 2005, and also boasts vintages in Sancerre, St-Emillion and Beziers.
Besides Obermeyer there were five finalists for this year’s SA Woman Winemaker of the Year.
Corlea Fourie from Bosman Family Vineyards in Wellington, who impressed with her Optenhorst 2007 Chenin Blanc, made from 56 year old bush vines.
Rianie Strydom, from Haskell Vineyards in Stellenbosch who made the top six with her 2006 Dombeya Boulder Road Shiraz.
Mari van der Merwe from Diemersdal Estate in Durbanville with her 2007 Chardonnay Reserve.
Danelle van Rensburg from Van Loveren Vineyards in Robertson who made the line-up with her 2007 Wolverine Creek Shiraz.
Jocelyn Wilson from La Bri in Franschhoek shone with her 2007 Shiraz and Viognier blend.
Besides judging the quality of their wines, the judges also subjected each of the six finalists to a personal interview to gain insight into the winemakers’ long-term objectives, winemaking philosophy and their views on the industry.
According to Marilyn Cooper, head of the Cape Wine Academy and president of the judging panel, “Erika impressed with her Shiraz in a year where the competition was dominated by very high quality Shiraz entries.
“She is confident, and passionate about the wine industry, and not only an inspiration for future women winemakers, but anyone who is considering winemaking as a career.”
