Ntsiki Biyela is the first black woman winemaker in South Africa. She is a pioneer, an icon, and an inspiration with an incredible story.

Ntsiki grew up herding cattle in Mahlabathini, a rural village... Read More

Ntsiki Biyela is the first black woman winemaker in South Africa. She is a pioneer, an icon, and an inspiration with an incredible story.

Ntsiki grew up herding cattle in Mahlabathini, a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal, under the care of her grandparents. When she heard about a scholarship to attend university for winemaking, she jumped at the opportunity and began studying at Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape. Despite so many obstacles (like her classes being taught in Afrikaans - a language she didn't speak!) she persevered. Ntsiki graduated in 2003 with a BSc in Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) and joined boutique winery Stellekaya as their winemaker the following year. In 2009 she was named South Africa's Woman Winemaker of The Year.

In 2016 Ntsiki launched Aslina Wines to pursue her vision for South African winemaking and in the process becoming the first black female winery owner in South Africa. T Alsina Nysiki produces wines that are both classical interpretations of Stellenbosch, which is where the sustainable and organic growers she works with are located. Yet they are lighter, fresher and more nimble than what we have come to expect. She uses only native yeast and does not add anything to her wine except the minimal amount of affective sulfur. "Aslina" is the name of her beloved late grandmother who was, and remains Ntsiki's inspiration.