Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Awards
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Bennie Keyser (Nikey) Van Zyl

Wine Maker/viticulturist/agricultural Manager
Wellington
Bennie Keyser (Nikey) Van Zyl

Summary

Dedicated viticulturist, winemaker, and agribusiness manager with over 20 years of experience in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. Expertise in optimizing farm operations, maximizing crop yields, and implementing innovative farming practices while maintaining strong relationships with team members and stakeholders. Proven ability to oversee daily farm activities, manage resources effectively, and adapt to evolving industry demands to achieve consistent results. Proficient in a wide range of skills, including pruning techniques, soil improvement, pest control, irrigation methods, winemaking, crop management, livestock care, machinery maintenance, budget planning, and contract negotiation.

Overview

23
years of professional experience
3
Languages

Work History

Wellington Wines

Viticulturist
08.2017 - Current

Job overview

  • Managing 47 shareholders and 25 contract growers.
  • Full viticultural planning: soil preparation, cultivar & site selection.
  • Purchasing grapes for general and specialty ranges.
  • Significantly increased tons harvested by maximizing vine performance with better vine pruning practices and their by increasing income of share holders and entire co opp.
  • All admin and compliance: IPW, WIETA, Wine MS, contracts.

Haute Cabrière

Viticulturist & Quality Control (Degorging)
07.2011 - 03.2014

Job overview

  • Vineyard management, planning, tasting, blending, grape sourcing.
  • Implementation of winemaking innovations.
  • Managing a team of 30 staff.
  • Planted and established a vegetable garden for the 6star restaurant to use as organic on menu.
  • Planted cover crops in between vines to increase soil and and vine quality, soil moisture and natural weed control.

Haut Espoir

Cellar Master & Viticulturist
01.2003 - 06.2011

Job overview

  • Planning of cellar lay out and construction.
  • Full cellar and vineyard oversight.
  • Planting and establishment of 56 acres of new vines.
  • Winemaking, fermentation, bottling, blending.
  • Staff management, trade shows, wine tastings.
  • Did all marketing of wine.
  • Highly involved in planning and building a wine brand and business from scratch.
  • Wine's i made is still winning awards to this day.
  • Development of new wine brands for local restaurants like my specialty white port.
  • Kept up-to-date on industry trends by attending professional conferences or workshops focused on viticulture advancements, regional developments, or emerging markets relevant to our business operations.

Albi Arends

Rhebokskloof Wine Farm
2014 - 2017 (3 education.years_Label)

Job overview


  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
  • Oversaw all vineyard operations eg soil preparation, planting, pruning, pest control, fertilization and pest control.
  • Fertilization planning, Hr management and harvest coordination.
  • Made sure all machinery was in top condition at all times.
  • Managed 20+ staff.
  • All admin related functions SAWIS/IPW/Wine MS.

Education

Crop Life SA
Online

Diploma AFCASA from Plants, Pests, Disease, Crop Protection, Pest Man.
04.2001

Paarl Gimnasium
Paarl

High School Diploma
04.2001

Elsenburg
Stellenbosch, SA.

BScAgric Or Oenology from Viticulture And Wine Makeing.
04.2001

Elsenburg
Stellenbosch, SA

Diploma from Agriculture
04.2001

Skills

Viticulture & Winemaking

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References

Martin, de Graaff, Owner, 021 876 3498, 083 227 9888, Bo La Motte Farm

Awards

2016: Shiraz 2008 – Top 20 Contender (SA Wine Challenge), 2015: Chardonnay 2010 – 4 stars (John Platter), Semillon 2009 – 4 stars (John Platter), 2014: Shiraz 2006 – 4 stars (John Platter), 2013: Chardonnay 2009 – 4 stars (John Platter), 2012: Chardonnay 2008 – 4 stars (John Platter), 2011: Chardonnay 2007 – 4 stars (John Platter), Shiraz 2006 – 4 stars (John Platter), 2010: Gentle Giant (Red Blend) 2006 – 89 Parker Points, Petit Verdot 2006 – 4 stars (John Platter), Chardonnay 2008 – 4 stars (John Platter), 2009: Chardonnay 2007 – 4 stars (John Platter), 2008: Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 – 4 stars (Fynproe Magazine), 2007: Viognier 2006 – Gold Veritas Award, 2006: Chardonnay 2005 – 4 stars (Wine Magazine & John Platter), Second place – Winemaker of the Year (Wine Magazine), 2005: Syrah 2005 – 4 stars (Wine Magazine), 2004: Chardonnay 2004 – Double Gold (Veritas & Michelangelo Awards)

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • France: Château Angelus, St. Emilion, Bordeaux (2003)
  • New Zealand: Te Mata Estate, Hawke’s Bay (2003)
  • USA: Dry Creek Winery, Sonoma, California (2001)
  • South Africa: Winemaker – Stellendrift Wines, Stellenbosch (2002)

Timeline

Viticulturist

Wellington Wines
08.2017 - Current

Viticulturist & Quality Control (Degorging)

Haute Cabrière
07.2011 - 03.2014

Cellar Master & Viticulturist

Haut Espoir
01.2003 - 06.2011

Crop Life SA

Diploma AFCASA from Plants, Pests, Disease, Crop Protection, Pest Man.
04.2001

Paarl Gimnasium

High School Diploma
04.2001

Elsenburg

BScAgric Or Oenology from Viticulture And Wine Makeing.
04.2001

Elsenburg

Diploma from Agriculture
04.2001

Rhebokskloof Wine Farm

Albi Arends
2014 - 2017 (3 education.years_Label)
Bennie Keyser (Nikey) Van ZylWine Maker/viticulturist/agricultural Manager