Vusi Dalicuba is adding new award-winning wine notes as a young, black winemaker in South Africa, claiming the VinLog Merlot Trophy at the 2024 Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards for his 2022 Vergenoegd Löw Amalie Merlot. Vusi’s journey from a curious youth in Kayamandi, stealing grapes from neighbouring vineyards, to a prominent viticulturist and winemaker at the renowned Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate is inspiring and impactful. His work reflects his dedication to winemaking and is a testament to the South African wine industry’s commitment to the broader national agenda of transformation and inclusion.
Vusi’s still determining his path. Growing up in Stellenbosch, he had little exposure to the wine industry despite living in one of the country’s most renowned wine regions. He admits that he didn’t know one could even become a winemaker. “When I grew up, I was interested in mechanical engineering,” he says. Only by chance, after enrolling in Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Wellington, he was introduced to agriculture and, eventually, viticulture and oenology. After an insightful conversation with one of his lecturers and working as an assistant winemaker under the supervision of Elsenburg winemaker Lorraine Geldenhuys, his passion for wine began to take shape, blending his hands-on love for craftsmanship with a new-found appreciation for the science behind winemaking.
Vusi’s presence at Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate as a winemaker represents significant progress toward creating a more inclusive South African wine landscape. Vusi and the many young first-generation winemakers reflect and align with the national transformation agenda and speak to the potential of the wine industry to be a driver of socio-economic change. The sector is committed to diversity – not just in the faces behind the bottles but in the various perspectives and expertise that different individuals bring to the craft.
Vusi’s career took off after he completed his diploma and later a master’s degree in viticulture and oenology at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Through mentorship and guidance, he was encouraged by some of the best in the industry. He took up the role of winemaker at Vergenoegd Löw in 2021 and is tasked with crafting wines that reflect the estate’s unique terroir and tell a broader story of sustainability, transformation, and exceptional quality.
For Vusi, winemaking is both a science and an art. The science ensures precision, while the art brings creativity and a deep connection to the land. At Vergenoegd Löw, located a few kilometres from False Bay, the unique terroir plays a crucial role in Vusi’s wine craft. The cooling sea breeze allows for slower grape ripening, contributing to the wines’ elegance and freshness. Vusi’s appreciation for the regional and environmental influences and understanding of the terroir is central to his approach, allowing him to create wines that tell a story of place, climate, and heritage.
His journey from a township to Vergenoegd Löw underscores the importance of creating opportunities for winemakers with no historical winemaking experience to narrow the exclusionary field in our industry. He is not only breaking barriers for himself but is also serving as a role model for other young black South Africans who may not have previously seen a place for themselves in the wine industry.
Vusi’s ambition is clear: “I want to be the best winemaker in the world.” To achieve this, he relies on patience, dedication, and learning from the best in the industry. He understands that the wine industry is highly competitive, and to stand out, one must continually innovate and stay true to the region’s unique qualities. For him, the unique terroir of Vergenoegd Löw provides a competitive edge. The rich soils of the proximity to the sea and the careful selection of grape varieties are all part of the intricate puzzle contributing to his winemaking success. He emphasises the importance of continuous experimentation. “Every year, we try to do a small batch differently to learn and improve,” he explains. “You never stop learning as a winemaker.”
Vusi’s story is a testament to what one can achieve through determination, mentorship, and a commitment to excellence. As a young black winemaker, Vusi is adding another depth of prestige to one of the country’s most prestigious estates. His contribution to the South African wine industry is significant in terms of the high-quality wines he produces and in helping to shape a more inclusive and forward-thinking future that reflects a new wine identity for South Africa’s wine industry, one award-winning bottle of wine at a time.
