He has been appointed Distell's head winemaker, a newly-created role, overseeing style and quality across the company's entire wine portfolio as well as driving innovation, while providing a nexus for the exchange of specialist wine knowledge. He will also serve as a roving wine ambassador for the company, liaising with critics, influencers and the trade in major markets.
Distell's primary
production director, Johan Venter, said the appointment was a key step in
advancing the company's wine business and standing. "Fine wine in
particular is assuming a growing significance in our portfolio as we develop
and expand markets globally. The new position will provide an additional
impetus to stimulate and steer winemaking excellence, enhancing our competitive
advantage. "
Venter said that while
Macici would continue to influence Nederburg's winemaking, he would now also
influence the company's other wine ranges, from Alto to Zonnebloem.
Amongst the many other brands to benefit from his expertise would be
Durbanville Hills, Plaisir de Merle, Le Bonheur, Uitkyk, Stellenzicht and
Neethlingshof. He would also be working very closely with all the
viticulturists involved.
Macici’s move,
effective from July 1, will result in other changes within the company's
cellar management structures.
Andrea Freeborough will
succeed Macici. She returns to Nederburg after a decade as head of Die
Bergkelder, where she has earned considerable international kudos for many
Fleur du Cap wines and has also overseen top-performing brands in Die
Bergkelder stable such as the highly awarded Lomond. Before her role at
Die Bergkelder, she made Nederburg's white wines under Macici for more than
four years.
Venter said she was the
obvious choice for the Nederburg job, having proven her ability at Die
Bergkelder to lead a big team and to simultaneously create both specialty and
more popular wines.
Commenting on his
successor, Macici said: "Andrea is an outstanding winemaker and colleague.
We have always worked extremely well together and after my decade-and-a-half at
Nederburg, I can think of no better person to continue the journey from
here."
Her position will be
filled by Wim Truter, currently Die Bergkelder's red-wine maker and formerly
white-wine maker at Nederburg. He brings extensive international exposure
to his new position. With a prestigious Erasmus Mundus international masters
degree in vintage, vine, wine and terroir management, he has also worked in the
US and Australia.
Venter confirmed that
at the end of October, when Distell's group general manager: winemaking, Callie
van Niekerk retires, he will be succeeded by Deon Boshoff, currently cellar
master of Adam Tas. With his promotion, Elize Coetzee, who makes the
white wines at Adam Tas and is responsible for brands such as Zonnebloem and
Place in the Sun, will become the new cellar master.