Wine Master Junel van der Merwe: Whispering from the Vineyard to the World

Junel van der Merwe, one of South Africa’s few Cape Wine Masters, has built her role around

attentive listening to the wine, to the land, and to the people who experience it. 

As global

ambassador for Alvi’s Drift, its flagship Albertus Viljoen range, she bridges the gap between the

vineyard and the wider world, sharing each vintage’s story with intention and clarity.

Her work is rooted in connection. She travels widely to share the story behind each wine, helping

people understand that these vintages are not shaped by trends or market pressure, but by time,

patience and the character of the vineyard itself. Junel carries that message to the world, enriching

global conversations without ever compromising the integrity of what the land has produced. This

exchange of information enriches the conversation around each vintage, even as the wines

themselves are given the time and space to evolve slowly and deliberately.

“We are never quite sure how each vintage will evolve. It’s a bit like raising children from the same

family. They may share the same roots, but each one grows up with its own personality and path,

”

Junel says.

“The same applies to our wines. Even from the same vineyard, vinified together, once

they’re transferred to barrel, they begin to develop individually over the course of at least a year.

”

That respect for individuality is reflected in how Alvi’s Drift approaches its Icon range. Wines are

released only when they show completeness and harmony, not in response to the demands of the

market.

“The wine tells us when it’s ready. It’s when the structure and texture are in harmony, when

the fruit and acidity feel integrated, and when there’s a certain completeness to it, a sense that the

wine has fully settled into its own identity.

”

While limited in scale, the response to these wines has been anything but quiet. The Albertus

Viljoen 2023 Chenin Blanc is a remarkable expression, crafted from a 35-year-old heritage vineyard

that was carefully selected for this range. This exceptional Chenin Blanc was awarded Great Gold

at the 2024 International Wine & Spirits Awards in Spain, a testament to its distinctive quality and

character.

“It was a moment of quiet revelation for winemaker Alvi van der Merwe,

” Junel recalls. Driven by

curiosity and deep respect for what these old vines had endured, Alvi chose to hand-pick the fruit

and vinify it separately. Each barrel was treated individually, allowing the fruit to speak for itself—no

heavy-handed winemaking, just careful handling, gentle pressing, and patient maturation.“What made it clear that this wine belonged in the Icon range was its purity, texture and layered

complexity. It had this quiet power and elegance that you simply can’t manufacture.

”

While the winemaking team, led by Alvi, are hard at work in the cellar, Junel’s voice helps shape

how these wines are understood. The wines speak of where they come from, shaped not by

market demand but by the quiet, deliberate rhythm of the vineyard and cellar.

“We don’t follow

fixed schedules. The wines tell us when they’re ready. That’s one of the things people appreciate

most. There’s integrity in that patience.

” Each vintage is released only once it shows true harmony;

when fruit, acidity and structure align with a sense of completeness.

Junel also believes in the importance of building the next generation of talent. She advocates for

long-term thinking in mentorship and professional development across the industry.

“We’re

focused on building strong, inclusive structures that identify and support serious talent early on.

This means creating platforms for mentorship that are more structured and intentional, across all

levels, from cellar hands to future estate leaders.

”

The message remains consistent. These wines are made with care, shaped by instinct, patience

and a deep respect for the vineyard. What reaches the glass is a reflection of that quiet process,

thoughtful, unhurried and true to its origin. Each vintage speaks in its own voice, carrying the

character of the place it comes from, no matter where it is poured.