At just 38, Tammy Claasen is the new force behind red winemaking at Durbanville Hills, one of South Africa’s most trusted and beloved wine estates. Her journey from protégé to cellar leader is a story of talent, mentorship, and a lifelong passion for the craft.
Tammy was among the first graduates of the Cape Winemakers’ Guild Protégé programme, an initiative that pairs gifted young winemakers with industry legends to help shape their potential. From 2009, she spent over three formative years under the guidance of Carl Schultz at Hartenberg Estate. “I had theoretical training from Stellenbosch University, but with Carl and the Hartenberg team, I became a real winemaker,” she recalls. “Feeling the soil, handling the harvest, and translating the history of each vintage into wines with their own story — that was transformative.”
Her mentorship instilled confidence and encouraged her to find her own style, lessons she now brings to the cellars of Durbanville Hills. After joining the estate as assistant winemaker in 2024, she stepped into the role of head of red winemaking earlier this year, following the passing of Wilhelm Coetzee. Managing Director Albert Gerber is unequivocal: “There was no doubt she should be Wilhelm’s successor. Tammy is gifted, energetic, and full of ideas.”
Her winemaking journey has been truly global. Tammy has honed her craft in Napa Valley at Duckhorn Vineyards, Oregon’s Union Wine Company, and Germany’s Weingut Kitzer in Rheinhessen. She has also worked extensively in South Africa’s top cellars across Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and the Helderberg.
Now settled in the cooler-climate Durbanville Hills, where Atlantic mists lend vibrant acidity and pure fruit to the wines, Tammy approaches each grape variety as a personality of its own. “Merlot is a tomboy, bold but graceful. Pinotage is a rebel, complex and unpredictable. Shiraz is the versatile favourite. Treating each variety as an individual keeps me curious and drives experimentation,” she explains.
For Tammy, winemaking is as much about self-discovery as it is about the craft. “It’s about listening, being patient, and showing up every day. Paying attention to the small details makes all the difference. That approach applies in the cellar and in life.”
Her philosophy is inspired by Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” For Tammy, this mantra resonates deeply – shaped by a family steeped in wine. Her father leads Koopmanskloof Wines, her brother works there too, and her husband is part of Franschhoek’s wine scene. “Being able to share this passion with almost my entire family is a privilege,” she says. “And I’m making the most of it!”
Under her leadership, Durbanville Hills’ reds are set to carry forward a legacy of elegance, power, and a deeply personal touch – a reflection of Tammy Claasen herself: bold, curious, and unwaveringly passionate.