Tim Whitfield, assistant winemaker at Tokara, will be joining the Plaisir winemaking team in October.

Tim will be mentored by the indomitable winemaker, Ronell Wiid, an industry icon who now moves to cellarmaster tasked with overseeing the style and quality of Michael and Rose Jordaan’s wine estates, Plaisir de Merle and Bartinney Wines.

“The depth of winemaking talent currently in the South African wine industry made the choice hard, but reaffirms our position that we are able to be the best in the world, working with the best people on the best terroir,” say the Jordaans who look forward to working with this accomplished young winemaker.

Their strong connection with Banhoek through the thread of Bartinney Wines and Tim’s imminent arrival from Tokara strengthens the team’s focus on revealing the best the area has to offer.

“We loved having Tim as part of our wine team. We wish him well on this natural progression in his career and look forward to watching his rise in the wine industry,” says Tokara General Manager Karl Lambour.

Tim has been working alongside Tokara winemaker Stuart Botha since 2018. An Elsenberg graduate in Viticulture and Oenology, his winemaking experience before joining Tokara included stints at Ceberberg Wines and Spier as well as a harvest in Northern Rhone.