Winemakers On Fire, Issue #42

Good day, and a warm welcome!

Welcome to this week's newsletter, where we shine a spotlight on the talented Daniela Jansen, winemaker at the renowned Saronsberg Cellar. As a recently recognised member of the prestigious Drinks Business Master Winemakers 2024 Top 100 list, Daniela has made a name for herself through her unwavering dedication to quality and innovative spirit.

Her journey began at the age of 14, when she discovered her passion for winemaking. Since then, Daniela has honed her craft through international harvests and her studies at the Elsenburg Agricultural College. Today, she plays a pivotal role in maintaining Saronsberg's commitment to producing world-class wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Tulbagh valley.

Join us as we delve into Daniela's inspiring story, her winemaking philosophy, and her aspirations for the future of Saronsberg. 

In Case You Missed It

Positioning over Predicting: A Future-Proof Strategy for the Wine Industry

Here are a few quick takeaways from last week's Uncorking Secrets deep dive:

Embrace the "Positioning Over Predicting" Strategy

One of the key insights from the article is the importance of shifting focus from trying to predict future trends to concentrating on the enduring aspects of the wine industry. This approach enables wine businesses to allocate resources effectively, fostering resilience and long-term growth. By identifying and investing in the constants of the industry, businesses can create a solid foundation that helps them navigate changing market conditions and consumer preferences.

The Four Pillars of Success

The article identifies four essential pillars that remain constant in the wine industry: high-quality grapes and winemaking techniques, unique and authentic experiences, storytelling and brand identity, and strong relationships and collaboration. By focusing on these pillars, wine businesses can build a strong and sustainable market position, as they cater to the enduring needs and desires of consumers and create a supportive industry ecosystem.

Learn from Visionary Entrepreneurs

Successful entrepreneurs like Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk have applied the "Positioning Over Predicting" concept in their respective industries. By examining how they focused on unchanging principles and built adaptable businesses, wine industry professionals can learn valuable lessons and apply similar strategies to their own businesses. This insight highlights the importance of learning from successful examples in other industries and adapting those strategies to one's own context.

Prioritise Adaptability and Innovation

A crucial insight from the article is the need to prioritise adaptability and innovation in order to succeed in the rapidly changing wine industry. By embracing change, investing in research and development, and fostering a culture of experimentation, wine businesses can stay ahead of the curve and seize new opportunities. This approach ensures that businesses remain relevant and competitive in a dynamic market.

By understanding and applying these key insights, wine industry professionals can develop more effective strategies, build resilient businesses, and contribute to the overall growth and prosperity of the industry.

We hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our Uncorking Secrets deep dive. If you're curious to learn more about the Positioning Over Predicting strategy, we invite you to explore last week's full article. It offers an in-depth look at the subject, complete with fascinating insights and stories. Feel free to click this link if you'd like to delve deeper and learn more.

Unleash the Power of Your Wine Brand with The Wine Wordsmith

Discover how our contrarian approach to content creation can elevate your brand and captivate your audience like never before.

In the fiercely competitive wine industry, it's essential to stand out from the crowd. As The Wine Wordsmith, we believe in challenging the status quo and crafting engaging stories that set your brand apart. Our narrative-driven, contrarian approach will transform your content, deepen connections with your audience, and unlock your brand's true potential.

The Contrarian Force: Embracing the Unexpected

We're not just another content creation agency. We're a contrarian force that dares to defy industry norms and create tailored content that speaks directly to your audience. Our unique approach is built upon six pillars: storytelling, customisation, sustainability, results-driven strategies, relationship-building, and innovation. This ensures that your brand's narrative is both captivating and impactful.

Your Trusted Partner: The Wine Wordsmith

With three decades of experience in packaging design, product development, and branding within the wine industry, we understand your challenges and opportunities. Our newsletter, Winemakers On Fire, showcases our expertise and serves as a testament to our commitment to your success.

Crafting Your Story: Customised Content Packages

We offer a range of curated content packages tailored to your specific needs, from blog posts to newsletters and more. By partnering with us, you'll receive an affordable content plan that drives results and elevates your brand to new heights, all while staying true to your core values.

Your Success is Our Mission: Join Us for an Unforgettable 2024

As we embark on this journey together, we're offering a 20% discount on any package for the first year. We're dedicated to championing founder-driven brands that are committed to building their reputation, cultivating audience engagement, and exploring untapped growth potential.

Are you ready to embrace the power of the contrarian approach and make 2024 a standout year for your wine brand? Contact us today to learn more about our customised content packages and let's embark on this journey together.

Daniela Jansen: Insights from a Top Winemaker on Terroir, Attention to Detail, and Overcoming Challenges

Nestled within the picturesque Tulbagh valley, Daniela Jansen has emerged as a rising star in South African winemaking. As Saronsberg Cellar's dedicated winemaker, she crafts wines that showcase the region's unique terroir and captivate wine lovers worldwide.

Since her introduction to winemaking at age 14, Daniela's career has been shaped by passion and hard work. After graduating from Elsenburg Agricultural College, she honed her skills across continents, cultivating a philosophy that emphasises quality and innovation.

Her inclusion in the esteemed Drinks Business Master Winemakers 2024 Top 100 list reflects her exceptional abilities and vision. This elite group recognises the world's most influential winemakers, and Daniela stands proudly as a beacon within South Africa's wine industry.

Critical to her success is her meticulous attention to detail, from night-time grape harvesting to rigorous hand-sorting processes. While acknowledging the challenges faced by winemakers, Daniela remains focused on creating wines that bring joy to those who savour them.

Can you tell us about the moment you first became interested in wine and how that led to your decision to pursue a career as a winemaker?

When I was 14 years old, fresh into high school, I visited a wine farm with my family. As soon as we drove into the wine farm, I was immediately intrigued. I just wanted to know more. The whole process of how something as simple as a grape can turn into something as complex as wine was just the most fascinating thing. I knew in that moment that I wanted to be a winemaker. Throughout my high school career, I continued to do research about wine and being a winemaker. The fact that wine has the potential to bring people from all around the world together just sealed the deal for me. 

After completing your studies at Elsenburg Agricultural College in 2017, you went on to work harvests in Stellenbosch, Napa Valley, and Portugal. How did these diverse experiences shape your winemaking philosophy?

The harvests I worked in different South African wineries and wineries abroad definitely taught me that the basics of winemaking are the same wherever you go, but it’s the small details and terroir that play a huge role in the end product. You can try and copy winemaking styles, but you will never be able to recreate a wine from another winery or country because the terroir is different and that is what makes it so interesting. Work with what Mother Nature gives you and respect that. Working in Napa and Portugal also helped me grow as an individual and as a winemaker. You learn so much. You work with people from all around the world, taste wines and varieties you have never heard of, and all of that helps to shape you as a winemaker. 

How did it feel when you learned that you were included in the prestigious Drinks Business Master Winemakers 2024 Top 100 list?

I must say, it was a huge surprise. I was a little shocked at first, and then I was just overwhelmed with gratitude. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout my winemaking career. From my family to my lecturers and to Saronsberg for giving me the opportunity and believing in me, and also to the consumers that enjoy our wine. I have a love for Shiraz and Rhone-style blends, and to be able to work at a winery that lets me live out my passion is really amazing. 

In your opinion, what sets your winemaking style apart from others in the industry?

It is our attention to detail that sets our style apart from others. We pick our grapes during the night to ensure that they arrive at the cellar at the coolest time of day. All the grapes are force cooled to 4 °C before being hand-sorted by a team of twenty. We do all of this to ensure that we work with only the best-quality grapes. I firmly believe that it is all the small details along the way in the winemaking process that set us apart.  

As a winemaker, what are some of the most significant challenges you face in your work?

The fact that we are dependent on nature is the most challenging part. It’s exciting, because every year is different. But it’s also the most challenging. If we get rain during harvest, like we had in 2023 and again this year, it keeps you on your toes. The economy is also a significant challenge we face. It’s challenging to continue selling wine if consumers are not always able to afford products such as wine. Therefore, it is important for me to continue to produce top quality wines so that consumers get a good quality product. 

On the flip side, what are some of the most rewarding aspects of being a winemaker?

Seeing people enjoy our wine. All the long hours of harvesting and the sweat of punchdowns are worth it when people enjoy our wines. 

How do you incorporate creativity into your winemaking process?

Sometimes we like to experiment a little with different techniques, such as wholebunch/carbonic maceration. Every year, we do little experiments on a small scale and then use those as blending components in our bigger blends. In 2020, we also fortified some Shiraz that is still ageing in barrels as a fun experiment. So maybe we’ll release that in a few years. 

So, there is definitely space to experiment and be creative on a small scale. 

Looking ahead, what are your future plans and aspirations for Saronsberg and your wines?

Honestly, I just want to continue growing the quality of the wines that we make. We have been producing top quality wines for almost 21 years, and my main goal is to continue doing so. We are growing every year in size, so my hope is that we can continue planting some more Shiraz vineyards so that we can produce even more Shiraz. In 2023, we planted a mixed white block of Marsanne, Roussanne, and Verdelho, and I hope to produce an interesting white blend in a few years. 

Essential Insights

Discover Daniela Jansen’s winemaking philosophy at Saronsberg:

1. Diverse experiences shape Daniela's philosophy. Daniela's harvests in different wine regions like Napa Valley and Portugal taught her that while the basics are the same, the terroir (environment) plays a huge role in a wine's character. This insight highlights the importance of embracing the unique conditions given by nature rather than trying to replicate wines from elsewhere.

2. Her attention to detail sets her winemaking style apart. Daniela emphasises meticulously handling the grapes, from night-picking to forced cooling to hand sorting - all to ensure they work with only the best quality fruit. This underscores her commitment to quality at every step of the process.

3. Challenges like nature and the economy keep winemakers on their toes. Daniela points out that being at the mercy of nature's conditions, like rain during harvest, is a constant challenge. Additionally, economic factors that impact consumers' ability to purchase wine pose another significant hurdle that winemakers must navigate.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your journey with us, Daniela, and we look forward to enjoying the results of your hard work and continued success. Thank you to Mandy Dewing, Marketing Manager at Saronsberg, and Michelle Carter for connecting us with Daniela and making this interview possible.

• Thanks for reading; we wouldn’t be where we are today without your support!

• It takes me between 8 and 12 hours to write and prepare each issue. If I had more time, I would have written a shorter newsletter.

• Let's be friends. Follow me on LinkedIn.

• If you enjoyed this newsletter, please consider sharing it with your friends and colleagues. I work hard to create quality content consistently, and every new subscriber helps. This link will take you to the sign-up page.

• If you’ve got someone or a topic you would like me to feature, email me and let me know, and I’ll see if it’s a good fit. Participating is absolutely FREE! - Yes, you read that right.

• Mike Carter is the driving force behind Winemakers On Fire, a weekly newsletter that is published every Tuesday, while Uncorking Secrets, a biweekly deep dive, is published every other Friday. My vision is to be recognised for giving more than taking and to use my talents and skills to positively impact others. Albert Einstein put it succinctly: "Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."