Wine Master Junel van der Merwe: Whispering from the Vineyard to the World
Listening to Wine, Land, and People
Junel van der Merwe, one of South Africa’s few Cape Wine Masters, has built her role around attentive listening to the wine, to the land, and to the people who experience it. As global ambassador for Alvi’s Drift and its flagship Albertus Viljoen range, she bridges the gap between the vineyard and the world, sharing each vintage’s story with intention and clarity.
Her work is rooted in connection. She travels widely to share the story behind each wine, helping people understand that these vintages are shaped by time, patience, and the character of the vineyard, not by trends or market pressure. Junel carries this message globally, enriching conversations while giving wines the space to evolve slowly and deliberately.
Every Vintage Has Its Own Voice
“We are never quite sure how each vintage will evolve. It’s a bit like raising children from the same family. They may share the same roots, but each one grows up with its own personality and path,” says Junel.
Even from the same vineyard, vinified together, once transferred to barrel, each wine begins to develop individually over at least a year.
Icon Range: Harmony Over Market Pressure
Alvi’s Drift releases wines only when they show completeness and harmony, not in response to market demands.
“The wine tells us when it’s ready. It’s when the structure and texture are in harmony, when the fruit and acidity feel integrated, and when there’s a certain completeness to it, a sense that the wine has fully settled into its own identity.”
Award-Winning Chenin Blanc
The Albertus Viljoen 2023 Chenin Blanc is crafted from a 35-year-old heritage vineyard and was awarded Great Gold at the 2024 International Wine & Spirits Awards in Spain—a testament to its distinctive quality and character.
“It was a moment of quiet revelation for winemaker Alvi van der Merwe,” Junel recalls. Each barrel was treated individually, allowing the fruit to speak for itself—gentle pressing, careful handling, and patient maturation.
“What made it clear that this wine belonged in the Icon range was its purity, texture, and layered complexity. It had this quiet power and elegance that you simply can’t manufacture.”
The Vineyard Speaks Through the Wines
While the winemaking team works in the cellar, Junel’s voice helps shape how these wines are understood.
“We don’t follow fixed schedules. The wines tell us when they’re ready. That’s one of the things people appreciate most. There’s integrity in that patience.”
Each vintage is released only when fruit, acidity, and structure align with a sense of completeness.
Mentoring the Next Generation
Junel emphasizes long-term thinking in mentorship and professional development:
“We’re focused on building strong, inclusive structures that identify and support serious talent early on. This means creating platforms for mentorship that are structured and intentional, across all levels, from cellar hands to future estate leaders.”
A Reflection of Care and Patience
These wines are crafted with care, instinct, and respect for the vineyard. What reaches the glass is a reflection of this quiet, unhurried process. Each vintage speaks in its own voice, carrying the character of its origin, wherever it is poured.
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