Hi, I’m
Bennie Keyser (Nikey) Van Zyl
Wine Maker/viticulturist/agricultural Manager
Wellington
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 SAOnline
Diploma AFCASA from Plants, Pests, Disease, Crop Protection, Pest Man.
04.2001
Paarl GimnasiumPaarl
High School Diploma
04.2001
ElsenburgStellenbosch, SA.
BScAgric Or Oenology from Viticulture And Wine Makeing.
04.2001
ElsenburgStellenbosch, SA
Diploma from Agriculture
04.2001
Skills
Viticulture & Winemaking
undefinedReferences
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)