Lucinda Heyns
13 July 2026Mahalia Kotjane
Mahalia Kotjane
Educational Background and Early Career
- High School Spark: Mahalia grew up in a strict, Christian household in the township of Vosloorus (East Rand), where drinking alcohol was not allowed. Her fascination with winemaking began unexpectedly in Grade 9 during a science project on microorganisms. Unable to find much information online, she bought table grapes from a local supermarket, crushed them in a 750ml glass jar, hid it in a dark cupboard, and watched fermentation happen firsthand.
- Tertiary Education: After convincing her hesitant parents, she moved to the Western Cape to study agriculture. She attended the prestigious Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch, where she earned her diploma in Cellar Technology (Viticulture and Oenology).
- Early Adaptations: Coming from a city life, adjusting to farm life and learning the Afrikaans language at college presented major hurdles, but she quickly adapted and excelled.
Professional Experience
- High School Spark: Mahalia grew up in a strict, Christian household in the township of Vosloorus (East Rand), where drinking alcohol was not allowed. Her fascination with winemaking began unexpectedly in Grade 9 during a science project on microorganisms. Unable to find much information online, she bought table grapes from a local supermarket, crushed them in a 750ml glass jar, hid it in a dark cupboard, and watched fermentation happen firsthand.
- Tertiary Education: After convincing her hesitant parents, she moved to the Western Cape to study agriculture. She attended the prestigious Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch, where she earned her diploma in Cellar Technology (Viticulture and Oenology).
- Early Adaptations: Coming from a city life, adjusting to farm life and learning the Afrikaans language at college presented major hurdles, but she quickly adapted and excelled.
- Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Protégé: In 2014, Mahalia was selected for the highly competitive Nedbank CWG Protégé Programme. This three-year internship is designed to mentor and fast-track young winemakers of colour in South Africa. During this time, she was mentored by top winemakers like John Loubsers at Steenberg Wine Estate.
- International Harvest: As part of her training, she travelled to France to complete a harvest season in Burgundy, while also touring iconic wine regions like Champagne, Bordeaux, and the Rhône Valley.
- Established Cellars: Before branching out on her own, she built a strong professional reputation working as an assistant winemaker and winemaker at top-tier South African estates, including Stark-Condé Wines and Lievland Family Wines.
- Entrepreneurship: She eventually launched her independent boutique wine label, Three Quarters Wines, crafting her bottles at the Karibib cellar in Stellenbosch. The brand name is a playful nod to her birth order—she was the third pregnancy but the fourth child, because her older siblings are twins.
Career Highlights and Recognition
- Maiden Vintage Success: She officially launched her label's maiden vintage, the Three Quarters Shiraz 2022, on 1 December 2023, receiving widespread praise for its technical precision and elegant style.
- Industry Representation: Mahalia was featured in the prominent "40 Under 40" wine industry spotlights, marking her as a leader of the new generation of South African winemakers.
- Driving Transformation: She is a founding member of the Vineyard Tales Tasting Group, an association of young winemakers of colour working collectively to transform and diversify the South African wine landscape.
- Community Role Model: Through her journey, she has become an inspiring figure for young Black women looking to break into the agricultural and winemaking sectors.
Contestant Summary
Mahalia Kotjane is a celebrated, trailblazing South African winemaker and the founder of Three Quarters Wines. She is highly regarded for her minimal-intervention winemaking style that allows the natural terroir and climate of Stellenbosch to shine through her vintages.
Mahalia Kotjane is a powerful example of determination, turning a childhood kitchen experiment into a thriving luxury business. She bridges the gap between technical precision and deep respect for heritage. Her brand, Three Quarters Wines, stands out in the competitive Stellenbosch landscape for its fresh, low-alcohol, food-friendly, and minimal-intervention profiles. She remains a crucial face of transformation and excellence in the modern South African wine industry
