How Zakkie Became a Winemaker By Accident

Hey hey, Bestes!

Every family has that one story that gets told again and again, usually around a braai, with a glass in hand and a few extra laughs added for good measure. For us, it’s the story of how Zakkie Bester became a winemaker. And here’s the twist, it wasn't a part of some grand plan (at least not at the start).

It just kind of… happened.

Let’s rewind to the mid-1970s. Fresh out of diensplig and ready to take on the world, Zakkie made his way to Elsenburg Agricultural College just outside Stellenbosch. The intention was straightforward: enrol for an agricultural degree to pave the way for a future rooted in the land. But when he and Oupa Manus arrived, things didn’t quite go according to plan. The course was full. No space. No backup plan waiting in the wings.

Except, as luck (or something a little more poetic) would have it, there was one open spot left in a brand-new programme called Cellar Technology.

Now, Elsenburg is no ordinary college. Established in the late 19th century, it has long been one of South Africa’s most respected agricultural training grounds, known for producing generations of farmers, viticulturists, and winemakers. The approach has always been practical and hands-on, meaning students don’t just sit in lectures; they work in vineyards, in cellars, and alongside the processes that bring agriculture to life.

At the time Zakkie arrived, the Cellar Technology course was still a relatively new offering, designed to equip students with both the science and the craft behind winemaking.

So, what started as a last-minute pivot became something far more significant. Between 1976 and 1977, Zakkie immersed himself in this unexpected path, learning the ins and outs of fermentation, cellar management, and the delicate balance between structure and instinct that defines good wine. It wasn’t just the technical side that left a mark, though. It was the people. The friendships formed during that time would stick with him for decades, evolving into a close-knit group of winemakers who still get together today as “The Snifters” to share wines, stories, and more than a few laughs.

Looking back, it’s clear that this so-called accident had a way of settling in rather naturally. Winemaking suited Zakkie. There’s a rhythm to it, a mix of patience, curiosity, and a genuine love for bringing people together, and those are qualities he’s carried with him all his life. After qualifying, he began his career at Spier Estate on the farm Goedgeloof, before moving through respected names like Boland Kelder, Rooiberg Wynkelder, and De Wet Cellar. Each step added to his experience, shaping the winemaker he would become.

Eventually, that journey brought him back to the Swartland, where he would go on to serve as Cellar Master and CEO at Riebeek Cellars for many years, leaving a lasting imprint on the region’s wine story.

When you think about it now, it’s hard not to see the bigger picture. One full course. One open spot. One decision made without overthinking it. And from there, an entire life and legacy unfolded.

So maybe it wasn’t an accident after all. Maybe it was just the way things were always meant to play out.

Cheers vir eers 🍷

The BESTER Family Wines crew