Raised in KwaZulu-Natal, Nicole (29) had her first real introduction only while on holiday in the Western Cape, when she was 18. At the time, she’d already been accepted to study physiotherapy at the University of the Free State. But then something changed. “It might sound strange, but after tasting wine for the first time, I didn’t appreciate the wine as much, but more the explanation of the process,” she says.

That moment stayed with her, so much so that she made a decision that surprised even her family. “I told my parents that I no longer wanted to pursue anything other than winemaking,” she recalls. Her dad, concerned about the wisdom of this sudden change, suggested she first work in a cellar. It was meant to be a test, a way to see if this was something she really wanted to do. It was.

After working as a cellar hand, Nicole applied to Stellenbosch University to study oenology. But once again, her path changed. “Luckily, I was very bad at chemistry,” she laughs. It was during this time that the prominent lecturer and researcher in Viticulture and Oenology, Dr Erna Blancquaert, asked her a simple question that changed everything. “Miss Pelzer, don’t you want to give viticulture a go?”

She did, and that decision changed the course of her career. She went on to complete her studies in viticulture and oenology, but it was clear where her love lay. “My love for viticulture outgrew everything else,” she says. The vineyard became her space.

While studying, she worked at Anthonij Rupert Wines for three years, starting in the tasting room and gradually moving into more hands-on vineyard exposure. Under Viticulturist Deborah Isaacs’s guidance, she participated in grape sampling across multiple regions. Those early mornings left a lasting impression. “Seeing a sunrise over the vineyards of the Swartland, Villiersdorp, Clanwilliam, Franschhoek and Wellington in the same week, it felt as if each moment was specifically crafted for my eyes only.”

She also spent time learning from Chris Laubscher farm manager of Anthonij Rupert Wines, whose calm approach to farming offered a different perspective. Alongside her vineyard experience, she continued working in the cellar, completing her final-year project on Shiraz fermentation. But even then, she knew where she felt most at home. “In between routine work, I would always ask if I could take a run to the picking team,” she says. “In the vineyard, I saw the best each person could bring.”

After completing her studies, she took her first formal role as assistant vineyard manager at Esona in Robertson, before moving to Lomond Wine Estate in Gansbaai as a Viticulturist. She spent three years there, working on a site she describes as both challenging and beautiful. It was also where her understanding of viticulture deepened. Mentors such as the previous winemaker of Lomond Hannes Meyer, who is now CEO of Cape Point Vineyards, Oom Kosie Groenewald of Gansbaai, and Jurie Le Roux of Lomond helped her turn theory into reality. “They were my cheat sheet to make theory tangible,” she says. “They showed me that right is wrong and wrong will also become right. We work in natural science, so change is inevitable.”

In 2024, Nicole was appointed vineyard manager and viticulturist at Simonsig Family Vineyards. “There’s never a day that goes by that I’m not challenged by vines, by numbers, by machines and by humans,” she says.

When asked what she’s most proud of, she says it’s her technical achievements. “Being a manager to an incredible and growing team,” she says. “I’m starting to learn how to be a good leader and trying my best to keep the human element as the most valuable. I want to cultivate kindness. My role is to never lose passion for the vine and the people. I’ve seen firsthand that the vineyard is a place of passion. The warm feeling you see on a face when they know their day has been a success is the most memorable part of a day. It’s a feeling you take home with you.”

Rapid fire Q&A

  • Red, white or bubbles? Red.
  • One thing that always makes you laugh? My dog, Beertjie.
  • Who in the wine world inspires you the most? Freda Jacobs.
  • Your hidden talent outside of wine? Photography and writing.
  • One word that describes the SA wine industry? Courageous.

Social mediaInstagram:@nicole.pelzerx