The first time Ntsiki Biyela tasted wine it was a shocking experience for her and she was initially decided that she didn’t like it. The problem was that Ntsiki had just moved 1,000 miles from her hometown in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa to pursue a bachelor’s degree in oenology at Stellenbosch University. Recruited to the program as a result of her high marks in high school science by South African Airlines, Ntsiki didn’t really know much about the career on which she was embarking. Her only previous experience with alcoholic beverages was with brewing a traditional beer made from corn, but she was willing to stick it out and learn.

Once Ntsiki had begun the program, she was asked if she wanted to switch majors, but by that time it was too late. She had started to enjoy her coursework as well as working with Delheim winery to gain hands-on experience. And, of course, she learned to appreciate the taste of wine. Her perseverance paid off as she joined Stellekaya as junior winemaker in 2004 and then taking over the winemaking in 2005, becoming South Africa’s first black female winemaker. In 2009, she was named Landbouweekblad Woman Winemaker of the year.

Stellakaya, which means “Home of the Stars” specializes in red wines. A relatively new winery, Stellakaya planted 15 ha in 2005 and thus, currently buys in its grapes from neighboring vineyards. Grapes are carefully handpicked and left in cold storage overnight to adjust acidity levels due to the heat and wines are aged in French oak. Borrowing from the winery’s star theme, the blended wines are named for various constellations such as Cape Cross, Orion and Hercules.

Stellakaya Cape Cross 2004, Stellenbosch, South Africa
A Cape Blend of Merlot (50%), Pinotage (30%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), this wine has aromas of meat, berries, earth and smoke. Its dry, medium to full-bodied palate shows notes of smoke, blackberry and meat, along with ripe tannins.

Stellakaya Orion 2005, Stellenbosch, South Africa
This wine’s blend is Bordeaux in style, bringing Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc together. Notes of blackberry, plum, euclyptus and slight oak greet the nose, while flavors of rich, ripe blackberry, vanilla, spice and oak pervade throughout the wine’s long length.

Stellakaya Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (at least the Technical Sheet doesn’t say otherwise), this wine is aged for twenty months in French oak, 60% of which was new. The full-bodied wine displays typical aromas and flavors of blackberry, euclyptus and pepper, with firm tannins.