Cecilia Wines
South Africa
About
Cecilia Wines are made with a hands-on approach with the aims to deliver wines of character and purpose. Now in its 10th year, owner and founder Cerina van Niekerk remains committed to the making of wines with soul and conscience by interfering as little as possible in the wine making process. A percentage of the income is used to inspire children in the local community through the sponsoring of a music program facilitated by Cecilia Foundation Non-Profit.
Certifications
Winemaker
Cerina van Niekerk
Cerina van Niekerk obtained her Diploma in Enology from Elsenburg Agricultural college in 1998 before working vintages in New Zealand, France, Australia and the USA. She joined the former Seidelberg Wine Estate in Paarl in 2002 and spent 7 years there as wine maker. It was during this tenure that Cecilia was conceptualised. At the end of 2009 she followed her now husband, Jaco van Niekerk, to the Olifant’s River where she managed Klawer Winery’s Trawal premises for 8 years. It was at Trawal that she became aware of the old vine gems in the Skurfberg and Citrusdal Mountain areas and it followed that she began making Cecilia from old vines, specifically Pinotage. She recently moved to Piekenierskloof Wine Company to assist with winemaking and marketing as well as continuing to work with old vines for the making of Cecilia. Towards the end of 2020 a non profit company, Cecilia Foundation, was brought to life into which a percentage of wine sales is transferred. From 2021 Cecilia Foundation employs a full time music teacher who provides music education to schools and after care facilities in the rural community of Citrusdal.
Viticulturist
Henk Laing
