After completing the garagiste winemaking course at the University of Stellenbosch earlier this year, Michelle Coetzee took the plunge and made her first batch of wine. By all accounts it was a great success – and hopefully the first of many vintages. Michelle tells us more about her winemaking activities.
1. What exactly is a garagiste wine maker?
My definition of a garagiste wine maker would be someone that makes wine on a small scale for their own consumption.
2. How did you end up as one?
I can’t remember exactly when I started loving wine as much as I do, but when I realized that I was more excited about trying new wines, and going on wine routes, than almost any other outings, I realized I had a passion for wine, and that’s where the idea of making my own wine came from.
3. What do you think garagistes bring to wine making that the traditional wine makers don’t?
A personal element, knowing that the wine was made by somebody that loves wine (why else would you go through the hassle and mess?) gives it the impression it will be special. Certainly traditional wine makers more than likely love wine too, but it is made on a bigger scale, where the ‘consumer’ isn’t always known.
4. What is the most exciting thing about being a garagiste wine maker?
This year was my first attempt, so every step of the way, from the yeast fermentation to the bottling and labeling was exciting; probably the most exciting was when my friends tasted the wine, and enjoyed it!
5. What is the most challenging thing about being a garagiste wine maker?
Consistency; I was lucky this year to have really good grapes (must have been because the wine tasted good 
) I have to hope to get as good grapes next year, even if it is from the same source.
6. Please describe your wine for us?
Tumble Turn is 100% shiraz; it was a good red colour, considering it was not aged for very long; 3 months on oak chips. It had berry flavours and a hint of pepper. It was fairly soft, although you could pick up the tannins. It must be said that I only made 7 litres, 8 bottles.
7. What can we do to promote garagistes in South Africa?
I’m not sure, I don’t see myself making quantities more than my family and friends can drink! I do try support garagiste wine makers by buying their wines when they’re available.
8. What is the biggest challenge facing the South African wine industry at the moment?
Again, this is a novice opinion, but for new wine farms, it must be really difficult to break into a market that seems saturated; we have such a large variety of wines and regions to choose from, and it keeps growing.
9. How do you think South African wine ranks internationally?
I only really got to taste international wines while living overseas, and not knowing enough about them, I didn’t get to taste their best. What I have had is some amazing Australian reds. I rate South African wines highly. You seldom get a bad SA wine, and yet I tasted some fairly horrible wines while living in London, but again, that would have been due to my limited budget!
10. Talk to us about environmental issues in wine.
Having not grown my own grapes or made wine on a large scale, I don’t have any real input on environmental issues.
11. What is your favourite wine that you have made?
Just the one! Tumble Turn Shiraz
12. What are you drinking at the moment?
Being summer, I’m enjoying Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel. I love red wines, and Hartenberg has never disappointed me!
13. Where can we get bottles of your wine?
I have 1 bottle left, which is not for sale! I’m waiting to drink it next winter, to see whether its taste has improved after some time in the bottle.
14. If you weren’t making wine, what would you be doing?
I work for an online media company as a Database Administrator; many people don’t understand what I do, so mostly I say I work in IT, and there are seldom questions after that..
15. Anything else you would like to add?
I’m looking forward to making my first barrel of Shiraz next year!
Just as we are looking forward to hearing about it, Michelle!
