Our 2022 harvest is extra exciting in two different aspects: it is our first harvest with international interns since 2019 plus … this year we have no less than three women on our intern team. And who says girls can’t do it? Well, the stamina of these dynamic ladies is something to witness. Getting up at the crack of dawn, long days of sheer hard work and knowledge sharing are sure to take it out of you. And yet there are smiles all round and the cellar is alive with energy and good vibes.

Both the input and the support from our four young interns are simply amazing and most valuable to us. I take pleasure in briefly introducing them:

Joseph Vacheron from Sancerre in France studied at the Beaune Wine School in Burgundy, obtaining a Higher Technician Certificate in Oenology Viticulture in 2021. Joseph was born into a family of winegrowers with his parents, as well as uncles and aunts involved in the wine industry, both in Sancerre and Rhône. “So directing me towards the profession of winegrower was obvious,” says Joseph. To him the most valuable knowledge gained from his Creation internship so far, is monitoring the crucial fermentation process. The hardest part?  “Loading the presses.”

Céline Minod from Vaud in Switzerland also grew up in the winelands, completing her studies in Viticulture and Oenology in 2021. While she finds her internship at Creation hard work – “washing the crates, there are sooo many, they never stop!” – Céline also finds it enjoyable and without stress. “And then the breakfasts are so yummy, ‘dankie’!” Her future plans?  Joining and playing a part in her family’s winery in Switzerland.

Léze Herholdt grew up on a farm in the Western Cape near the small town of Philadelphia.

“This is where my love for the vines and winemaking started.” She obtained a BSc. Agric in Viticulture and Oenology from Stellenbosch University and her MSc in Wine and Spirits Management from Kedge Business School in Bordeaux. Her favourite part of the 2022 Creation harvest so far? “Going to bed in the evenings feeling you’ve worked hard that day.  Satisfying.  Also the breakfast, lunch and dinner braais of course!” Future plans? ”I am excited to say that after harvest I will start in my new position as Brand Development and Innovation Assistant at Creation.”

Xanel Geldenhuis from Somerset West, South Africa is a recent Chemical Engineering graduate interested in stepping into the liquor industry. “I have always had a passion for industries that produce a product that has had a lot of time and thought put into it. I decided to take on the harvest internship at Creation Wines to get exposure to this side of the industry and to learn as much as possible.” The most valuable thing she has learnt from Harvest 2022? “. . . it would be that passion for one’s job is very important. Watching and listening to the winemakers discussing different aspects of the harvest has been an absolute pleasure and I can only hope to gain that much knowledge and have that much love for what I do one day.” Her future plans? “Ideally I would like to carry on with my education and do a specialised Masters in brewing and distilling in Scotland and hopefully one day produce my own gin (fingers crossed!).”