Hymli’s love for wine is rooted deeply in the valley of Jonkershoek, where she grew up on a small wine farm. She studied languages and journalism at the University of Stellenbosch (during which time was exposed mostly to Roodeberg and Tassenberg).
After joining the KWV in 1995 as the editor of its internal newsletter, she started studying wine more seriously. She slowly worked her way through all the Cape Wine Academy´s courses, and grew more fascinated with every wine she tasted.
Her work and holidays took her to several parts of the world, which included visits to wineries in France, Germany, Spain, England, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bali and Italy. After receiving an MBA from the Graduate School of Business in Cape Town, she completed the Cape Wine Master diploma in 2006.
Her thesis on “Good Corporate Citizenship in the wine industry” related very much to her work focus at the time and remains, she believes, an area of risk to the industry.
She had her first son a few days before attempting her first garagiste wine with a group of friends in 2004. She is currently responsible for strategy and corporate communication at the KWV and has been judging for several international wine competitions.
