The Art Behind the Wine: A Conversation with Renier van Deventer

Winemaking is both a science and an art. It requires knowledge, precision and an understanding of the elements that shape a wine, but also creativity, intuition and a deep connection to the vineyard. In this interview, I speak with Renier van Deventer of Ridgeback Wines about his journey through the wine industry and the many experiences that have shaped him as a cellar Master and winemaker. After studying Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University, Renier began his career at Neethlingshof Wine Estate and continued his training under acclaimed winemaker Charles Hopkins at De Grendel. His journey then took him beyond South Africa, with harvests in California’s Napa Valley, Western Australia’s Margaret River and New Zealand, where he worked as Assistant Winemaker at Indevin during a record 35,000-ton harvest. Before joining Ridgeback, he was Cellar Master at Leopard’s Leap, working across a diverse portfolio of wines. At Ridgeback Wines, Renier brings this wealth of experience to a farm whose story began with its first white wine in 2000, followed by the five-star award-winning Ridgeback Shiraz in 2001. The name Ridgeback itself comes from the Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs kept on the farm – a breed originally associated with lion hunting and admired for its strength, character and distinctive pedigree. These qualities have become closely connected to the identity of the farm and its red wines. Renier takes us behind the bottle and into the vineyard, explaining how soil, weather, the health of the vines and countless other factors influence the character and quality of the final wine. We talk about the delicate balance between respecting what nature provides and applying the knowledge and skill of the winemaker. Most importantly, we explore that fascinating space where science meets creativity – where technical knowledge becomes something expressive, personal and alive. Renier’s story offers an insight not only into winemaking, but into the patience, passion and craftsmanship behind every bottle. Every artist has a story worth hearing. https://www.ridgebackwines.co.za/about-us/ If you've enjoyed The Artist's Voice, you're invited to support the project through https://buymeacoffee.com/petrasittig Every coffee helps keep meaningful conversations with artists brewing. Thanks for listening, watching, and cheering on the arts! The Inspiration by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ #winemaking #ridgebackwines #artandscience