Rianie Strydom, winemaker and general manager at Haskell Vineyards, was nominated by Jancis Robinson, OBE and Master of Wine, to be the first South African woman winemaker to attend the Wine Entre Femme gathering in Napa Valley recently.
Rianie Strydom
More than two dozen local winemakers and vintners are involved in the Napa Valley based women’s wine group which was founded by Sharon Harris of Amici Cellars. Woman winemakers from around the world gathered with leading local vintners of Napa Valley for three days of workshops, tasting, seminars and networking which culminated in a trade and press tasting representative of 5o labels. This tasting was accurately termed “the most beautiful wine tasting in the world“ by Sharon Harris.
Rianie’s selection came as no surprise as she is highly regarded for her ten years of winemaking at Morgenhof Estate as well as a vintage at Bilton Wines. One of the awards which Rianie has garnered is best New World Wine in Decanter Magazine which was decided by Stephen Spurrier. Keeping it all in the family, Rianie is married to Louis Strydom, cellar master at Ernie Els Wines after having made his reputation at Rust en Vrede.
