Tutu granddaughter bowled over by ‘miraculous elixir’

18 October 2015 - 02:00 By THEMBALETHU ZULU
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Ziyanda Tutu is a winemaker based in Johannesburg who makes organic wines. Johannesburg.
Ziyanda Tutu is a winemaker based in Johannesburg who makes organic wines. Johannesburg.
Image: Daylin Paul

“Working with wine is a blessing,” says Ziyanda Tutu.

The qualified winemaker and granddaughter of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, believes that wine is a “miraculous elixir”.

“I love the story of Jesus turning water into wine. It is said to be His first miracle. I keep on imagining how that wine must have tasted.”

Despite her childhood dream to be a professional dancer, Tutu decided on a different path after finishing school.

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Inspired by her mother’s extensive experience in the food and beverage industry, she enrolled at the Stellenbosch University and obtained a BSc in viticulture and oenology in 2007.

“Studying wine seemed a natural progression for me,” she said.

Tutu was granted a bursary by the Department of Agriculture, but feels it still has a limited understanding of other opportunities available in the wine industry.

Since finishing her studies, Tutu has worked in wine sales and the hospitality industry. She is also a qualified wine judge, having achieved the honour in 2010 at the Michael Fridjhon and Wine Magazine Judging Academy.

Part of her post-graduate experience included a stint at Reyneke Wines, a Cape winery renowned for its production of organic wines.

Tutu, who works as a consultant, curating wines for “high-end” clients, hopes to release a her own signature wine soon.

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