Award-winning winemaker, Niël Groenewald, who is also a marketing specialist is the new Distell head winemaker. Niël holds an MBA from UCT and a BSc Hons from Stellenbosch University.
"I love winemaking as much as I do the business of wine" Niël Groenewald
In his new position, he will be overseeing the production of South Africa's largest wine portfolio. The company's diverse and globally traded range extends from premium brands such as Nederburg, Durbanville Hills, Fleur du Cap and Alto, all the way through to populist, mainstream offerings such as 4thStreet and Drostdy-Hof, with his main focus, however, being the high-end brands.
Groenewald brings an exciting set of skills to the business - outstanding winemaking credentials and extensive experience in leading a top-performing team, a strong marketing sensibility, honed over years through his international exposure to South Africa's key trading partners.
“His special area of interest is on how best to apply business intelligence to capitalise on fast-changing consumer and other market dynamics. This makes him ideally placed to work in close concert with our refreshed new marketing team.
"We're confident that with his excellent winemaking track record, his very solid supply chain expertise and his tactical approach to marketing, Niël will provide astute direction and inspiration to our talented team of winemakers."
Before joining DGB in 2004, he worked stints at Neethlingshof and Seidelberg, as well as Perdeberg and Kango co-operative wineries.