20/08/2026
What does a winemaker look for that the rest of us might miss?
For Women's Month, we sat down with Neethlingshof winemaker Danielle Coetsee and asked her three questions about wine, Cabernet and the decisions behind every vintage.
1. What do you look for when deciding Cabernet is ready to pick?
When picking Cabernet Sauvignon, more important than simply monitoring sugar levels, is tasting the grapes and deciding on picking date when the flavours have become lush and the tannin structure has become balanced and less austere.
2. Which cellar decision has a bigger influence on the finished wine than people realise?
How critically oxygen management and exposure is controlled in a winery.
3. What are you enjoying drinking at the moment and what are you eating with it?
I'm really loving the 2025 Maria Noble late harvest in the cool Cape Town winter. It's delicious with Cape Malay dishes, and pairs exceptionally well with a traditional Bobotie. Also on my weekend list currently is the Estate Pinotage Rosé. It has such a seamless fruit-acid balance and it is a wine that I enjoy just as much on its own as with a pumpkin, beetroot & herb salad.
Wine is made by people, and we think it's worth hearing from the people who know it best.
