Jean Botha (27) never planned to fall in love with wine. In 2018, while pursuing his BMus degree at Stellenbosch University, he accepted a position as tasting room ambassador at Neethlingshof, not out of any burning desire to explore viticulture, but simply to pay the bills. “At first, I didn’t drink wine at all,” he says with a laugh.

It’s kind of ironic when you think about it – here’s a young man with quite a severe stutter at the time, signing up for a gig where all you do is chat to strangers about a topic you basically know nothing about. But sometimes the toughest challenges bring the best surprises.

After his stint at Neethlingshof, he accepted a job at Tokara, hosting tastings, but it was just as Covid lockdowns began sweeping across the globe. When harvest season came and he had the chance to help in the cellar, he jumped at it. “Being part of that process completely changed my perspective,” he says. “That’s when my curiosity turned into real passion and from then on I just wanted to learn everything I could.”

In 2021, Jean poured wine for visitors at Klein Roosboom Boutique Winery and a year later he returned to Neethlingshof as assistant tasting room manager before moving to Annandale Wine Estate as its sales and marketing manager. “Every role I’ve had has helped me grow,” he says. The initial positions that taught him about service, attention to detail and creating a welcoming environment for customers were followed by management and marketing jobs that provided an understanding of how the entire operation works.

In 2023, he started a marketing course at Stadio Higher Education. “It felt like the natural next step,” he says. The skills he’s acquired have been useful in his work in hospitality and customer service, and brand building. He enjoys his current job as tasting room and brand manager at Remhoogte Wine Estate because it mixes creativity with hospitality and marketing planning, and working with clients.

One of his first projects was starting the Remhoogte Wine Society last year. “I wanted to create something personal,” he says. The society offers intimate dinners, braais, tastings and off-site events for members who can’t make it to the farm. “It’s not just about selling wine, it’s about building relationships and creating a sense of belonging.”

He’s also teamed up with well-known glassware company Riedel to create tasting sessions that show how various glasses change your perception of wine. “People are often surprised by the difference, and that’s what I enjoy most – helping them experience wine in a more interactive and memorable way,” he says.

He’s had some interesting moments in the tasting room. At Neethlingshof, he hosted a tasting for a disabled 21-year-old guest who could only communicate by blinking. With help from the guest’s parents, Jean created a way for him to show how much he liked each wine. “That moment stayed with me,” Jean says. “Not only because of the wine, but because of the connection.” It reminded him that wine is for everyone and that making space for people to join in matters.

Another special event was an exclusive wine society evening for 16 guests at Remhoogte to launch a new Chenin Blanc. Instead of running the event he could actually sit down at the table with the guests. “They didn’t just see it as service or a transaction,” he says. “They felt part of something and wanted me to be part of it with them.”

He’s also realised the importance of a formal wine education and will complete WSET Level 1 this year and plans to complete Levels 2 and 3 in the future. “Every bit of knowledge helps me connect better with both wine and people,” he says.

His philosophy for success in the wine industry is simple but powerful: listening. “Listen to those around you,” he says. “Be willing to learn and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. If you do, it’s important to understand why and learn from them.”

Teamwork is also important. “You can’t do it all on your own, and input from others help you come up with better ideas,” he says. People are what ultimately drive him to effect change in the wine industry.

Jean is excited by the trend towards more experience-driven wine tourism. He believes in making wine accessible, particularly to younger people who may feel threatened by a more traditional wine culture. “When you can see the heart and soul behind wine, people become interested naturally,” he says. “That’s how you create a new generation of wine drinkers.”

Rapid fire Q&A

  • Red, white or bubbles? Red.
  • One thing that always makes you laugh? Really bad dad jokes.
  • Who in the wine world inspires you the most? Jeremy Maarschalk, Senior Engagement and Communications Manager at Waterford Estate.
  • Your hidden talent outside of wine? Playing the bassoon and conducting an orchestra.
  • One word that describes the SA wine industry? People.

Social media

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