Yvonne Le Riche, who attained a BA degree from the University of Stellenbosch in 2003, worked as assistant winemaker on her father, Etienne’s farm, Le Riche Wines, during the harvests of 2005 and 2006. During 2006-7, she worked as trainee manager in two London stores of the Majestic Wine Warehouse and in 2007-8 as sommelier at Singita private game reserve, a prestigious Relais & Chateaux property. In 2005 she also managed to fit in a harvest in Bergerac in France.
In her dissertation entitled ‘Revolutionising Cinsaut”, Yvonne, focused on the quality aspects of Cinsaut, provided an international perspective and discussed the potential marketing aspects of the variety. She also covered the historical perspective of Cinsaut in South Africa in the 19th century and the role it played in the development of Pinotage.
