Oertle, one of four new Cape Wine Masters who graduated in May this year, has retail experience spanning over 30 years culminating as specialist wine buyer for Woolworths for the last 15 years. His dissertation as Cape Wine Master, one of the most sought after formal qualifications in the South African wine industry, was entitled “Evaluating the development of emerging South African black-owned wine companies".
During his tenure at Woolworths, Oertle was responsible for procurement, sourcing, new development, innovation, and sales. He developed and successfully launched many new concept innovations including a host of South African firsts in the wine industry. Cultivar specific low alcohol wines, wines and MCC with no added sulphur, wine in 1 litre tetra packs, and biodynamic organic private label wines, are just some of the innovations under his watch. Oertle was also instrumental in developing a comprehensive international wine range for Woolworths and the first private label collaboration with a black-owned wine brand. Developing sustainable and environmental standards for wineries supplying Woolworths was another landmark achievement.
“I feel my retail experience and customer driven focus together with the significant time spent in wine cellars and tasting rooms have all benefited my transition from retail to winery. In retail I spent 40% of my time selling and marketing wines and now at a wine estate my time spent on this is 80%!” says Oertle.
A well-known personality within the South African wine industry, Oertle has travelled extensively to trade shows, conferences, wine shops and wineries in Europe and the USA. On the local front, he has been a wine judge for both Veritas and the Wine of the Month Club for several years.
Oertle has spent the past 14 months as a wine consultant with a major focus on business and brand development including sourcing and blending wines. He has served on a specially created wine and transformation committee for Vinpro to assist and support emerging enterprises. Among his most rewarding work as consultant was creating collaborations between emerging and established wineries, developing new brands and mentoring emerging enterprises.
“I look forward to the challenge of working for a winery and contributing in a meaningful way in the repositioning of an established brand, as well as having a key role in developing and innovating new wines and styles,” adds Oertle.