Barely a year after taking over as winemaker at Vrede en Lust wine estate in Paarl, Susan Wessels was crowned SA Woman Winemaker of the Year in Stellenbosch on 26 July. Susan beat a record number of 53 entries in this year's competition, which is sponsored by Landbouweekblad, the country's leading agriculture and agri-business publication. Susan entered two Vrede en Lust Wines, the Viognier 2007 and the Sauvignon blanc 2007, but it was the 2007 Viognier that wowed the judges and won her the coveted honour of Landbouweekblad SA Woman Winemaker of the year for 2007. When asked why she decided on winemaking as a career choice, she said: "I knew I was never destined for a job that would either have me locked up in an office or laboratory the entire day. I wanted to do something where a creative aspect is important, scientific and close to nature along with challenges. Somewhere along the line the puzzle pieces just fell into place!". Besides Susan, the finalists for this year's SA Woman Winemaker of the Year were: Alicia Rechner from Backsberg Estate in Paarl, Elzette du Preez from De Grendel in Durbanville Rianie Strydom, from Haskell Vineyards in Stellenbosch, Ruth-Frances Penfold, from Steenberg Vineyards, in Constantia and Tania Joubert, from the KWV, also in Paarl.

Landbouweekblad's Woman Winemaker of the Year 2007, Susan Wessels showing off her new trophy!

Besides Susan, the finalists for this year's SA Woman Winemaker of the Year were: Alicia Rechner from Backsberg Estate in Paarl, Elzette du Preez from De Grendel in Durbanville Rianie Strydom, from Haskell Vineyards in Stellenbosch, Ruth-Frances Penfold, from Steenberg Vineyards, in Constantia and Tania Joubert, from the KWV, also in Paarl.

Besides judging the quality of their wines, the judges also subjected each of the six finalists' to a personal interview to gain insight into the winemakers' long-term objectives, winemaking philosophy and their views on the industry.

According to Norma Ratcliffe, one of the first woman winemakers in South Africa and president of the judging panel, Wessel's imaginative selection of white wines proved her skill in handling a variety of cultivars.

Landbouweekblad editor, Jean du Preez, Debbie Burden (2005 winner), Eleonor Visser (2006 winner), Susan Wessels (2007 winner), Ivy Du Toit-Oates (2004 winner) and Landbouweekblad publisher, Danie Smith.

"Susan did exceptionally well by delivering stand-out white wines in this year's competition which was characterized the quality of single varietal white wines and white blends that were entered," said Ratcliffe.

The other judges were Eleonor Visser, the winner of last year's competition and winemaker at Winecorp, Jo-Ann Mettler, PRO at L'Ormarins, Caroline Rillema from Caroline's Fine Wines and Marilyn Cooper, head of the Cape Wine Academy. Lorraine Immelman-Steyn, founder and organiser of the SA Woman Winemaker of the Year Competition, further says: "The number of entries is increasing annually, and we are attracting woman winemakers from large, established cellars right down to smaller wineries in more offbeat wine regions." "I am very excited about the competition's growth. The number of entrants this year proves that the title of Landbouweekblad South African Winemaker of the year is becoming more important to woman winemakers."

In the light of the fact that women in the wine industry are enjoying increasingly more recognition worldwide, this competition plays an important role in the motivation of all women – not only those on the brink of entering the wine industry. It shows that women can excel in any job, if they have the necessary determination, knowledge and skill, they can reach their goals – even in a so-called "men's world".

Finalists Ruth-Frances Penfold (Steenberg), Alicia Rechner (Backsberg), Tania Joubert (KWV), Landbouweekblad editor, Jean du Preez; founder and organiser of the competition, Lorraine Immelman-Steyn; Landbouweekblad's Woman Winemaker of the Year 2007, Susan Wessels; Robyn Daneel, PRO of Lanzerac Spa and Wellness Centre; and Rianie Strydom (Haskell Vineyards) and Elzette du Preez (De Grendel).

"An awareness of these ambassadors leads to the promotion of the multi-faceted nature of the wine industry and follows in the popularity of Champagne Lanson Woman in Wine Award presented annually at the International Wine and Spirits Fair, as well as the Shoprite-Checkers Woman of the Year Award."

Each finalist receives a pamper pack from the Lanzerac Wellness Centre and Spa to the value of R1000. Susan's main prize is an all expenses paid trip to the winemaking region of Bordeaux, valued at R30 000.