Chief winemaker and Kumkani winemaker: Nicky Versfeld
With a distinguished winemaking career spanning 25 years and a host of noteworthy accolades the company of wine people's™ chief winemaker Nicky Versfeld has much to be proud about. Yet softly-spoken Nicky is known to be self-effacing; and quick to praise others before himself.
Nicky was raised on a sheep farm in the North-Western Cape. He qualified in Cellar Technology at Elsenburg Agricultural College and was appointed assistant winemaker at Simonsvlei co-op in the Paarl Wine Route. Nicky moved on to Welmoed after four years then on to Constantia's Steenberg in 1996.
It was during his time at Steenberg and after a working harvest in Sancerre and Bordeaux that Nicky's renown grew. His Sauvignon Blanc especially was noted for its quality; and in 1999 Nicky was inducted into the Cape Winemaker's Guild (CWG). The CWG is a hall of fame of sorts for the cream of the winemaking craft. Nicky soon left Steenberg to join Vinfruco; and after a company merger and change in name the membership stayed with him, and remains with him today.
Nicky's love for the outdoors has been a hallmark of his life, and he remains less keen on "paperwork" than on spending time in the cellar. He's still hands-on with procurement of grapes and bulk wine, and is "very involved" in blending the company's branded wines.
Nicky works with a team of five to produce the company of wine people's™ five core brands: Arniston Bay, Versus, Welmoed, Thandi Wines and Kumkani. Nicky's customer focus sees him travel around the world, talking to those who "buy and drink the wine".
The challenge of making volumes of wine at consistently good quality have left Nicky unchanged. His passion is still for his craft; and given the chance, he'd "do it all again".
