KWV Senior Winemaker Izele van Blerk reflects on a record year of excellence
Few wine awards are as highly regarded in South Africa as the Veritas Vertex Award. For its latest recipient – a wine produced by the team of KWV Senior Winemaker Izele van Blerk – the accolade crowns a year of highlights, both for her personally and professionally. And it all comes down to a 1% edge that makes all the difference, she says.
KWV’s historic performance at Veritas – South Africa’s biggest wine and brandy competition – saw the pioneering Paarl wine and brandy company named Best Wine Producer for the third consecutive year. The highest honour, the Vertex Award, named after the late Duimpie Bayly, was also bestowed on KWV The Mentors Perold 2022 and was the third time KWV has claimed the trophy since its introduction in 2017.
In total, KWV was awarded a record-breaking eight Double Golds and thirteen Gold medals for its wines and two Double Golds and six Golds for its brandies.
Izele van Blerk is among the longest-serving senior wine team members and is a founding winemaker of KWV’s The Mentors range – arguably the most awarded portfolio in the country. Every milestone is testament to a deliberate evolution towards consistent excellence.
Q&A with Izele
The KWV Mentors Perold has secured the Vertex Trophy multiple times. What makes it consistently stand out?
With this wine, we aim to showcase the very best – from vineyard selection to meticulous processes in the cellar. Every step matters, from choosing the finest barrels to selecting only the best components after 18 months of maturation. The Mentors Perold represents what South Africa can produce at the highest level.
This is not a wine where any single variety is meant to dominate the blend. Instead, it is crafted to be seamless and fully integrated. Purity of fruit, fresh acidity, and well-balanced oak are key. The oak should support not overpower the fruit. Each variety in the blend contributes something essential, whether it’s structure, colour, or aromatic depth. Each element plays a role to create a wine that is harmonious, expressive, and complete.
KWV is no stranger to leading wine competitions. Are you still surprised when it’s called to the podium?
Absolutely. It’s always stressful, because as a winemaker, you strive to produce the best wine year after year. Consistency is the most important element in winemaking. Any winemaker can produce great wine in an exceptional vintage, but true dedication and understanding are shown when you consistently deliver quality, even in challenging years.
This consistency doesn’t come from the winemaker alone – it’s the result of a committed team, from producers and viticulturists to the production and cellar teams. Every single person plays a vital role in the success of each wine.
It takes hard work, passion, and alignment across the team to achieve our shared goal: to produce exceptional wines that are consistent and tell a meaningful story.
What should wine lovers know about KWV that you think they don’t?
Our focus and attention to detail drive both experimentation and innovation. With every vintage, you can expect the highest quality. While consistency is key, even a 1% improvement can make a significant difference. Every single berry matters—our winery operates with the precision and care of a boutique winery.
What makes one a world class wine taster? Do you need to be one to fully enjoy The Mentors?
To become a world-class winemaker, I believe you first need to be a world-class taster. For me, that’s the foundation of winemaking—it determines how good a winemaker you can become. Building a memory bank of different wines, vineyard blocks, and varieties is essential. How can you improve a wine or produce something exceptional if you don’t know how it should taste, or understand the potential of a block and a wine?
As for fully enjoying The Mentors range, a consumer should only be able to enjoy the wine. I craft wines that are complex, yet approachable and widely enjoyable. The Mentors range showcases the very best South Africa has to offer, combining excellence with storytelling and education. I make wines that tell the story of the vineyard, the winemaking process, and the team involved. I aim to educate consumers about wine styles and varieties, and to make people feel comfortable in their approach to wine.
What is your definition of success?
To me, success is about truly enjoying what you do, learning from others and understanding your craft. It’s about taking what nature gives you and transforming it into an incredible product that reflects your personality and brings joy to others.
I see the word as being equal to happiness. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to work with a remarkable product and an inspiring team.
You’ve spoken about the importance of a one percent edge. What is that about?
We often think growth happens in big spurts and jumps, which sometimes can make a project or goal look impossible. But if we can consistently make an improvement of just one percent in whatever we set our mind to, that change accumulates to become significant. It’s almost unnoticeable until you get to where you thought you’d never be.
That one per cent is ingrained at every level in our pursuit of outstanding wines.
You were all set for a career in tennis, but life had different plans. What similarities are there between winemaking and competitive sport?
Wow. Yes, it’s 100% true! When I was competing in sports, I thought I’d never have to work harder in my life. But I was wrong – winemaking demands even more. It’s hard work, long hours, and requires unwavering dedication and perseverance.
The difference between a tennis match and winemaking is clear: a match has a defined end, with a winner and a loser. Winemaking, on the other hand, never stops. You might make the best wine in the world today, but tomorrow someone else could make something better. There’s no finish line -only constant learning, evolving, and adapting.
You never truly know everything about winemaking. That’s why it all comes back to hard work, teamwork, passion, and commitment. It’s a journey of continuous growth, and I’m grateful to walk it with a dedicated team that shares the same vision.
Finally, both tennis and wine bring entertainment and joy to people’s lives!
What is your approach as millennial winemaker when introducing young adults to wine, and what is your view on the low-alcohol trend?
The only thing I can do is stay true to myself and to wine, sharing knowledge and educating the next generation. I want to break down seemingly intimidating barriers that often surround wine and spread the word that it’s not only a drink for special occasions, but for an enjoyable lifestyle too.
In terms of the low-alcohol trend, I see it as just that – a trend that is part of a rainbow of wine styles. Just as no two people look, speak, or think the same, not everyone will enjoy the same wine. That’s the beauty of diversity.
I believe low and no-alcohol wines present an opportunity to introduce wine to people who are unfamiliar with it and the culture of wine. It’s a way to help, and maybe even spark a lifelong appreciation.
How would you define local wine culture and where do you think growth in wine will come from?
South African wine culture is a lifestyle – especially in the Western Cape. There are so many exciting opportunities, and we should view our relatively low wine consumption per capita as a chance for growth. Education is key. We need to inspire people and get them excited about wine. The first step is simple: get people tasting. Investing in wine education and tasting experiences is essential to building a more engaged and confident wine community.
Who are your heroes and explain why they inspire you?
So many people have contributed to every step of my life. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my mother and my family. I lost my biological father at a young age, and my mother has been my greatest role model. Her love, passion, and dedication to our development as children continue to inspire me. She taught me the importance of basic manners, kindness, humility, and how to appreciate life and cherish my values. I will always be grateful to her.
My stepfather introduced me to vineyards and winemaking. His words still guide me: “Stay humble -you’ll never make the best wine in the world. Tomorrow morning, someone else will have made a better one.” Nature keeps you honest, and we must appreciate the opportunity to work with it and create something special.
In my career, one person immediately comes to mind – Richard Rowe, who was Chief Winemaker at KWV when I started. Everything I know about wine, I owe to him. He believed in hard work, passion, and world-class winemaking. He taught me that humanity and teamwork are the foundation of a successful career. His influence shaped not only my professional journey but also my values as a winemaker.
If you had to pick wine to drink for the next month with every dinner, what would it be?
I love this question! Definitely two red wines: The Mentors Perold and The Mentors Petit Verdot. Perold is all about intensity and depth. It’s one of those wines that makes you think. Every sip reveals something new, telling a story with each taste. It’s layered, complex and thought-provoking.
The Mentors Petit Verdot reflects my experimental side. It’s deep, dark in colour, with intense fruit and concentration. It’s absolutely mouth-watering.
If I had to choose a white wine, it would be The Mentors Grenache Blanc. With its fresh acidity and beautiful dimension, it’s perfect for any occasion.
What is the most valuable piece of life-advice you’ve ever received?
Stick to the basics, stay humble, and always be true to yourself. In a world that’s constantly changing, find your own identity and believe in what you do and, the impact you can make on people’s lives. Keep your head down and work hard. Listen to understand, not to react. You’ll never know everything, but you can always learn from others. Even after 15 years of dedication and experience, I still learn something new every day.
What has 2025 taught you and what are you looking forward to in 2026?
Expect the unexpected. Last year was a highlight in my career, filled with awards and success. But 2025 brought something truly extraordinary. Making history at Veritas by winning the Duimpie Bayley Vertex Award for the third time was surreal. Being named among the Top Ten Pinotage and winning the award for best South African red wine at Mundus Vini—these are once-in-a-lifetime moments.
What 2025 taught me is simple: stay humble, do what you do best, and stick to the basics. Be true to yourself, appreciate your talents, and be grateful. I’m deeply thankful for everything that has happened this year. It’s important to pause, sit down, and truly enjoy the moment. I have an exceptional team, and I’m grateful for each and every person who contributed to our success.
Now, 2026—let’s do it again! Keep pushing boundaries through innovation and experimentation, and focus on improving everything we do – even if it’s just by one per cent.
