Thank you for joining us to showcase and celebrate women wine producers!
It is our great pleasure to introduce:
Ntsiki Biyela
Vineyard: Aslina
Region: Cape
Country: South Africa
Ntsiki grew up in Mahlabathini, a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal, and matriculated from high school in 1996. Having spent a year as a domestic worker, she was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking at Stellenbosch University in 1999.
She graduated in 2003 with a BSc in Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) and joined boutique winery Stellekaya as their winemaker the following year.
Ntsiki’s ambition to create her own wines grew following a collaboration with Californian winemaker, Helen Kiplinger, as part of Mika Bulmash’s Wine for the World initiative.
It was over dinner and a glass of wine with her new colleagues in the USA that she shared the story of the inspiration behind her ambition.
Her beloved grandmother was the guiding light in her life and it became obvious that her new brand should be named Aslina in the matriarch’s honour.
The Colour of Wine Documentary Promo directed by Akin Omotoso – Oct 9, 2018
-
Aslina ‘Ms MC’ Méthode Cap Classique 2016
£60.00 £60.00 -
Aslina ‘Ms MC’ Méthode Cap Classique 2016 (Premium Gift Packaging)
£110.00 £110.00 -
Aslina ‘Ms MC’ Méthode Cap Classique 2016 (Standard Gift Packaging)
£87.00 £87.00 -
Aslina Chardonnay 2021
£19.99 £19.99 -
Aslina Chenin Blanc 2022
£22.99 £22.99 -
Aslina Sauvignon Blanc 2022
£18.99 £18.99 -
Aslina Umsasane 2020
£25.99 £25.99
Her Philosophy
Her winemaking philosophy drew upon earlier experiences of harvest in Tuscany and Bordeaux, where she discovered a close affinity with nature that rekindled her own deep connection with the soil growing up in KwaZulu-Natal.
On a later visit to France, she was invited to make a wine for The Winemakers’ Collection, an opportunity afforded to a handful of winemakers from around the world.
How she gives back
She sits on the board of directors for the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, which provides technical training and personal development for young South Africans in the Cape Winelands, preparing them for work in the wine and tourism industries.
The programme offers them the unique opportunity to emulate her own considerable success.
AWARDS
At the prestigious 2021 Wine Harvest Commemorative Event, Ntsiki received the Diversity and Transformation Award for her pioneering work in the industry in South Africa.
The accolade celebrates her role in paving the way for others by eliminating barriers; setting an example and inspiring others; contributing to knowledge that others can use, and having an overall influence on the image of the South African wine industry.
Ntsiki was voted Woman Winemaker of the Year in 2009 and has been the finalist for two consecutive years for The Most Influential Women in Business and Government.
In 2017, she was listed in the world’s top 10 Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink by Fortune’s Food & Wine.
South Africa AGOA Exporter Awards 2021
Silver for Top Women Owned
International Wine & Spirit Competition 2021
Umsasane 2019 – Silver
Michelangelo Wine Awards 2021
2019 Umsasane – Trophy Winner
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon – Gold
2020 Chardonnay – Double Gold
Tim Atkin Report 2021
2020 Chardonnay – 90 Points
Old Mutual Trophy Awards 2021
2020 Sauvignon Blanc – Silver
2020 Chardonnay – Bronze
2019 Umsasane – Bronze
Sakura Japan Women’s Award 2021
Umsasane 2018 – Gold
Old Mutual Trophy Awards 2020
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon – Bronze
2018 Umsasane – Bronze
Sakura Awards, Japan 2020
Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 – Gold
Sommelier Awards 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 – The Elegant Classy Red
Michelangelo Wine Awards 2021
2019 Umsasane – Trophy Winner
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon – Gold
2020 Chardonnay – Double Gold
Tim Atkin Report 2021
2020 Chardonnay – 90 Points
Old Mutual Trophy Awards 2021
2020 Sauvignon Blanc – Silver
2020 Chardonnay – Bronze
2019 Umsasane – Bronze
Sakura Japan Women’s Award 2021
Umsasane 2018 – Gold
Old Mutual Trophy Awards 2020
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon – Bronze
2018 Umsasane – Bronze
Sakura Awards, Japan 2020
Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 – Gold
Sommelier Awards 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 – The Elegant Classy Red
Michelangelo International Awards 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 – Gold
Umsasane 2017 – Gold
Sakura Awards, Japan 2018
Umsasane 2016 – Gold
Michelangelo International Awards 2018
Umsasane 2017 – Gold
Michelangelo International Awards 2017
Chardonnay 2016 – Silver
#FacesofSummer: To Succeed, first you must fail
