New head winemaker for Distell

By Mathew Lyons

Published: 15 May, 2019

South African wine and spirits producer Distell has appointed Andrea Freeborough as its new head winemaker.

Freeborough has been cellar master at Distell’s Nederburg winery since 2015, having previously led wine production at the group’s Die Bergkelder vineyard in Stellenbosch.

She will oversee Distell’s wide range of wine brands, from premium wineries such as Fleur du Cap and Alto to mass-market brands such as 4thStreet and Two Oceans.

Johan Venter, group general manager of Distell’s Centre of Excellence: Intrinsic, said: “Andrea will be carefully looking after our wine brands from a top-line perspective, managing all aspects of winemaking by working hand-in-hand with our talented winemakers and viticulturists.

“With her impressive qualifications, excellent sensorial instinct, and close-to-two decades of successful winemaking experience under the belt, Andrea has certainly proven her ability to lead top-performing teams, to innovate and experiment, and to simultaneously create specialty wines and those aimed at broad appeal.

“This makes her ideally placed for the role of Distell head winemaker. We are confident that with Andrea’s solid track record in running a cellar, making wine, and dealing with a multitude of people, processes and departments, she will provide outstanding direction and inspiration to our wine brands.”

Freeborough began her career as an assistant winemaker at Neethlingshof.

She takes over the head winemaker role from Niël Groenewald, who had held it since October 2017.

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