In 1986, Marilyn started her studies at the Cape Wine Academy. She was a Wine Advisor for Picardi Magnum in Bedfordview from 1991-1995. She then compiled restaurant wine lists for Cellarmaster from 1995 to 1999.
Marilyn became a Cape Wine Master in 1999 and her research project was titled “How to improve wine sales in a retail store in Gauteng”. She has traveled many wine lands of the world, including Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, Champagne, Rhone, Alsace, Portugal, Italy, Spain, California and Argentina, both as a guide and with Master of Wine, Remington Norman.
In July 1999, Marilyn became Manager (North) of the Cape Wine Academy, based in Johannesburg. In 2004, she became Principal and later the Managing Director, whilst also being a shareholder of the Cape Wine Academy.
Marilyn has judged for the Juliet Cullinan Wine Awards, Wine Magazine, Diners Club Winemaker of the Year, Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year, Veritas Awards, the Trophy Wine Show, the Muscadel Competition and Woman Winemaker of the Year awards.
