Winemaking Team

JC Bekker

Group Winemaker

JC Bekker presides over the entire DGB wine portfolio with tremendous intelligible understanding of the business, creative and scientific perspectives of viticulture and winemaking garnered from years of asserted study and practical experience.

As a graduate of the University of Stellenbosch with  Honours degrees in Viticulture and Oenology as well as a Masters in Wine Business Management from UCT Graduate school of Business and the University of Adelaide Australia, JC is highly regarded and widely respected for his multi-faceted knowledge and scope of talents. JC worked as viticulturist for KWV before his appointment at Boschendal wines.

As Cellar Master, JC quickly built a solid reputation with several local and international awards leading to Boschendal’s ultimate selection as “South African Winery of the Year” at the International Wine and Spirit Challenge in London in 2004.

His experience extends internationally with regular study trips to almost all corners of the winemaking world.  JC was a previous Chairman of the Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group of South Africa as well as previous Chairman of the Veritas Sauvignon Blanc judging panel. His philosophy for great wines from South Africa is a determined drive for seamless integration with finesse and balance.

Thinus Krüger

Red Winemaker

Thinus Krüger is the charismatic talent behind the red wines of Boschendal. After bagging his Bachelor of Science Agriculture Degree from Stellenbosch University he joined South Africa’s giant of industry Distell where he notched up 5 years hands-on cellar experience at the Bergkelder.

A 2 year travelling sabbatical with stints at Hogue Cellars in Washington State winery in the USA as well as Altosa distillery Tomellosa in Spain’s La Mancha region further broadened his winemaking boundaries.

Thinus joined DGB as Red Winemaker for Boschendal in 2007, elevating the reputation and performance of Shiraz in particular. With his cerebrally creative approach to winemaking substantiated by his philosophy to ‘Get the basics right the whole time every time’ Thinus distinguishes himself from the perfunctory. His exemplary dedication, ambition and vision are palpable in his wines with many great harvests on his horizon.

Lizelle Gerber

White Winemaker

Lizelle Gerber is proof that dynamite comes in small packages. As the feisty woman behind the white and Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines at Boschendal since 2008, Lizelle has established herself as one of the Cape’s hottest winemaking talents.

The diminutive winemaker exploded onto the South African wine scene in 2000 during her tenure at Avontuur Estate raking in an avalanche of awards and accolades for her wines. You might never guess that her career began in the Military before a chance visit to a friend at Elsenburg College propelled her attention towards wine. After successfully graduating from Elsenburg, Lizelle worked at Zevenwacht Estate and spent a harvest in France’s Alsace region. Her stellar performance at Avontuur grabbed the attention of many suitors and after a brief stint at Eikendal, Lizelle joined DGB as Bellingham winemaker in 2006, before her appointment at Boschendal.

Lizelle seeks perfection with quiet confidence running a tight cellar with obvious passion and exacting standards. Her firm philosophy is ‘respect for the grapes’ and her natural affinity for anticipating regional nuances is tenable in her clever cellar practice devised to protect the delicate fruit expressions intricately translated into her wines. Lizelle brings tremendous holistic flair to her life and craft and continues to blaze a trail worthy of her talents.

Stephan Joubert

Viticulturist

As Boschendal’s Viticulturist, Stephan is the critical link between the vineyards, growers and winemakers. His tremendous understanding and experience of the Cape winelands and dedication to biological farming for eco-integrity has built him an honourable professional reputation in the South African wine industry.

Driven by passion and respect for the greater environment and natural wealth of the Cape Floral kingdom, Stephan is a leader in dynamic sustainable farming methods and visionary carbon offset projects. Stephan is a graduate of Stellenbosch University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Viticulture and Oenology with an Honours degree in Viticulture.

After his graduation, Stephan spent a harvest at a winery in Sonoma, California before he began his career as a viticultural consultant for Vinpro in the Robertson and Klein Karoo areas of the Western Cape. In 2000 he joined Perdeberg Winery as dedicated Viticulturist responsible for 18000 tons. After 5 harvests with DGB and extensive study travel to France, Spain, Australia and the USA he has a wealth of experience and genuine holistic understanding of the best scientific practices in tune with the natural diversity of Cape terroir.

Stephan also holds a tasting certificate from Stellenbosch University for red, white and sweet wines as well as a US Certificate for Pinotage tasting. After many years service on the SASEV board and Pinotage Association he now continues his industry level involvement as part of Winetech’s viticultural  committee looking after new research projects as well as being on the Winetech committee for Terroir Research.