Veteran winemaker Christie Steytler served as winemaker and later production manager at Roodezandt for a full 43 years and five months. On the eve of his retirement in October, WineLand asked him about his career, the shape of the industry and his future plans.
Christie Steyler, Roodezandt
Where did your journey with wine begin?
My journey began in my high school years growing up on a wine farm in Franschhoek. After matric and army days, I did my stint at Elsenburg College, where I completed my cellar technology two-year course. I did my practical at Eersterivier Cellar under oom Manie Rossouw. After the harvest, I applied for the Assistant Winemaker job at Roodezandt Co-Operative Cellar in Robertson. I started at Roodezandt cellar on 1 May 1980 and retired at the end of October 2023.
What are the highlights of your career?
The 1981 Le Grand de Luge Noble Late Harvest Superior. The year of the great flood in January 1981. The General Smuts Trophy for our Sauvignon Blanc, and the next year for the best Chardonnay on the Young Wine Show.
It’s one thing to win accolades, but for me the most satisfying thing was to do a winetasting for overseas bulk wine buyers. If they give you a thumbs up, you as the winemaker can tap yourself on the shoulder, because you know how much is at stake.
Who has been the greatest influence on your winemaking career?
Abe Rossouw, who has been the CEO since 1991 when he took over from Robbie Roberts. I must commend Abe for the way he turned Roodezandt from just another co-operative cellar into a well-established, well-known cellar in South Africa and overseas.
The other two people I want to mention are [former Anthonij Rupert Wines MD] Gary Baumgarten and [Douglas Green winemaker] Jaco Potgieter. They were always there with their expert advice when needed.
What are the most significant changes you’ve witnessed in the industry?
How important a Viticulturist has become in the Co-operative system. He is the connection between the farmer and the cellar/winemaker. Good wine comes from the vineyard. The winemaker must just do his best to add the finishing touches.
The wine industry evolved completely since the days of the KWV being the sole player in the whole wine industry. Today it is a free-for-all and the process is price-driven.
I am a bit worried over the future of the South African wine industry. Grape varieties, especially reds, are getting old in South Africa. We must be aware of this, since we are already leaning towards the times when Rebate was king.
The in-demand varieties are slowly becoming less and less. If the industry is doesn’t do something about it, South Africa won’t be able to compete in the global wine industry in future.
What’s your favourite variety to work with?
For me as a winemaker, Chardonnay was always the grape variety I loved to work with. Every year, it was special to see how the flavours evolved during fermentation. It was normally during this phase that I called Jaco Potgieter to tell him that something special is fermenting. That was always very exiting!
What are you looking forward to in retirement?
Retirement 2024. My first priority is to go fishing on my rubber duck at Pearly Beach during harvest time for the first time in more than 43 years.
Our three grandsons will join me for fishing once they are big enough!
