Kiara Scott was born on the Cape Flats and graduated from Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute in Viticulture and Oenology in Stellenbosch.
She was selected for the prestigious CWG Protégé Programme and during her three-year tenure gained valuable experience working under David Nieuwoudt (Cederberg Cellars), Carl van de Merwe (De Morgenzon) and Charles Hopkins (De Grendel). She made full use of international opportunities to work vintages in the Rhône Valley, Sancerre and the Russian River in Sonoma (California).
Winemaker Duncan Savage (Savage Wines) recognised her potential early on and appointed her as his assistant during the time that he was consultant winemaker to Brookdale Estate. With Kiara by his side every step of the way, he created the maiden vintage of the Brookdale Chenin Blanc in 2017. The wine received global acclaim and secured Brookdale Estate’s reputation as a producer of a wine of character and elegance. Kiara’s experience gained here under her mentor led to her appointment as winemaker at Brookdale Estate, where she officially took the reins from the 2019 vintage.
She says: “I have a simple and minimal intervention approach to winemaking. I believe that great wines are made in the vineyard. Year on year I am aiming to better understand our vineyards and soils to make the work in the cellar easier.”
Kiara was recently crowned 2024 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year
Article credit: Wine.co.za