Kiara was born in 1993 and is originally from the Cape Flats area of Cape Town. She graduated from Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute in Viticulture and Oenology in Stellenbosch before being selected for the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Protégé Programme. Here, she caught the attention of renowned winemaker and cellar master, Duncan Savage of Savage Wines. Duncan recognised her ability and passion and so appointed her as his assistant winemaker at Brookdale Estate, where he was Brookdale’s consulting winemaker at the time.
Together, Duncan and Kiara brought to fruition the maiden vintage of the Brookdale Chenin Blanc 2017. This wine established Brookdale’s reputation as a producer of elegant wines with distinct character. Kiara was appointed as sole winemaker at Brookdale Estate in 2019 at the age of only 26, officially the youngest head female winemaker in South Africa.
Brookdale currently produces 4 Mason Road Wines and 3 Brookdale Wines. Kiara’s love for wine and talent for winemaking is abundantly clear with every bottle she creates according to her mantra – “Where there is good soil, there is good wine.” This young lady is moving vineyards, literally and figuratively, with her determination, outlook, skill and passion.
CREDITS:
Story: Brookdale Estate
Images: Charles Russell
Video: Wijn Tastemaker’s Series