Johannesburg – South Africa’s new generation of winemakers is steadily reshaping the country’s presence on the world wine map, and few embody this momentum more compellingly than Banele Vakele, founder of Tembela Wines.
At just 33, Vakele has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in the industry, earning growing international recognition for wines that reflect both technical mastery and a deeply personal philosophy of craft.
Vakele’s journey into winemaking began in Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine region, where he attended high school on a scholarship.
“I was lucky enough to land in Constantia, and that exposure changed everything for me,” Vakele recalled.
‘I realised winemaking brought together all the things I loved – nature, science, travel, and working with my hands.”
That early spark led him to Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, the country’s most influential winemaking school, where more than half of South Africa’s winemakers have trained.
It was here that Vakele first encountered the discipline, precision, and sensory demands of the craft.
“I hadn’t even tasted wine before university. But once I started learning, I fell in love with the culture and the science behind it,” he said.
His talent soon earned him a place in the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme, widely regarded as the most impactful mentorship pipeline for young winemakers in South Africa.
While completing the programme, Vakele works at Ernie Els Wines, Groot Constantia Wines Estate, and Savage Wines.
The programme pairs emerging winemakers with some of the country’s most accomplished cellar masters, offering hands‑on experience, international exposure and a rigorous grounding in technique.
“The Protégé Programme changed my life. It wasn’t a quick-fix initiative; it was designed to create real, long-term impact. You learn by doing, by being in the cellar, by making mistakes, by being pushed,” Vakele explained.
During his three-year tenure, Vakele trained under leading winemakers at top estates including DeMorgenzon, Klein Constantia and Bouchard Finlayson, before completing harvests in Burgundy, Champagne and Beaujolais.
He later expanded his experience with vintages in the United States and Australia, working across organic, biodynamic, and technologically advanced cellars.
“Travelling opened my eyes. You can read every book in the world, but nothing replaces seeing how different regions work and how they treat the soil, how they respect the vineyard, how they bring family into the cellar. It changed my philosophy completely,” he said.
That philosophy now underpins Tembela Wines, the boutique label he launched in 2020.
Named in honour of his late mother, the brand reflects both personal heritage and a commitment to authenticity.
“My mother was the first person who believed in me. Tembela means to have faith, hope, and belief, depending on the context,” says Vakele.
Despite the challenges of entering an industry where capital, infrastructure, and licensing remain significant barriers, Vakele has built Tembela Wines through determination and strategic partnerships.
He currently produces his wines through contracted cellar space while maintaining full creative and technical control.
“The intellectual capital is mine. I decide how the wine is made, how it’s blended, how it expresses the place it comes from,” he says.
His wines – currently a Syrah and a Chenin Blanc – have already earned acclaim, including top recognition at a national young winemakers’ competition this year.
“For me, the award wasn’t about publicity, but about my peers saying: we see you, we respect the work you’re doing,” he said.
Tembela Wines is now exported to the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and soon, Belgium and the Netherlands, reflecting growing global demand for South African boutique wines.
“When you make wine, you make it for the world. I want my wines to stand next to the best internationally; not as a ‘black winemaker’, but simply as a winemaker,” Vakele said.
He is equally passionate about the collaborative spirit that defines South Africa’s wine community.
“There’s a real sense of camaraderie here,” Vakele said.
“We help each other, we share knowledge, we push each other to be better.
“That’s something you don’t always see in Europe or the U.S.”.
As global wine consumption trends shift and younger consumers explore new producers, Vakele believes South Africa is entering a defining era.
With Tembela Wines gaining momentum and new vintages on the horizon, Vakele’s trajectory reflects both the resilience of his personal journey and the rising confidence of South Africa’s next generation of winemakers.
“I’m here to take on the world. And I’m just getting started,” he says.
Vakele was recently recognised at the iTOO Next Generation Awards 2026, sponsored by iTOO Special Risks and convened by Winemag.co.za to recognise young, standout winemakers under the age of 35.
He won the Best Overall Wine category with the Tembela Syrah 2025.
“The dedication, discipline, and craft required to produce exceptional wine consistently is no small feat,” stated Melissa Brink, Underwriting Lead at iTOO.
“It takes years of refinement, great technical skill, and an unwavering pursuit of quality.
“That commitment to excellence is what sets this next generation of winemakers apart.”
