Caroline obtained her Cape Wine Masters diploma in 2004. Her dissertation topic was “Mediterranean grape varieties in the new world”. This topic was of particular interest to her in lieu of the growing interest in non-traditional, warmer climate grape varieties given climate change impacts and expanded winemaking terroirs globally.
She holds a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Stellenbosch as well as an MSc and a PhD in Wine Biotechnology. The topic of her MSc thesis was “Breeding of yeasts for enhanced brandy aroma”. Her PhD focused on understanding the influence that base wine composition and wood maturation has on the style and quality of South African brandy.
She has served as Chairman of the South African Brandy Foundation for several terms and has judged on several local and international wine and spirits panels, including the International Spirits Challenge, held in London.
Caroline has held a number of executive and senior management positions at Distell and at Heineken, including Business Director: Spirits, Marketing Director for Southern Africa and most recently Africa Middle East Regional Innovation Director for Heineken.
She is married to winemaker Coenie Snyman with whom she founded Rock of Eye Wines in 2022.
