Delheim wine estate has appointed a new assistant winemaker, working under Roelof Lotriet.
Nongcebo “Noni” Langa will commence her tenure upon completion of an internship in California that was facilitated by Delheim.
She joined the winery earlier this year as an intern and was formally appointed ahead of her trip to America – her first overseas.
A graduate of Stellenbosch University (SU), Nongcebo, 26, graduated with an MSc in oenology in December last year.
Delheim encouraged Nongcebo to learn in the Californian wine region, where she’ll be spending time at the family-owned Dry Creek Vineyard.
“We’re very excited about Nongcebo becoming part of the team,” says Victor Sperling of Delheim. “We see social development and upliftment as an extension of our holistic approach to winemaking. Empowering all our staff and helping them improve their skill sets has always been a priority close to our hearts.”
Nongcebo had no background in wine, growing up in Pietermaritzburg as the eldest of five children. Her interest was piqued, however, when she attended a high school presentation by the Department of Agriculture, which mentioned winemaking as a profession.
But fast forward a few years later, and she was part of a groundbreaking project on global warming and wildfires, lead by Dr Marianne McKay at SU, during 2017 and 2018. This led to her thesis covering the “Amelioration of Smoke Taint” on wines by using commercially available and legally permissible products and exploring their efficiency at different dosage levels.
“The climate changes experienced in many parts of the world have led to an increase in incidences of wildfires and it has been predicted that these events will become more prevalent over time. All fires release volatile compounds into the atmosphere and if they occur near vineyards where grapes are ripening, smoke taint may be detected in wines made from these grapes,” says Nongcebo. In 2016, Delheim lost 95% of its pine forest and many vines on the farm, during the devastating Simonsberg fire.
In addition to listing parents Sibongiseni and Nelisiwe Ngubo, Nongcebo says people who’ve inspired her include viticulture lecturer Dr Erna Blancquaert; her MSc supervisor, Dr Marianne Mckay; Charles Hopkins; and Delheim, winemaker Roelof Lotriet.
In her new position, Nongcebo is assistant winemaker to Lotriet, along with Nelson Buthelezi.
Eager to learn in America, Nongcebo says that in addition to experiencing a different culture she hopes to return home with greater insight into the global world of wine. “I’ll be looking out for the latest innovations too,” she says.
