Hartbeespoort will soon have its own winery when winemaker Siwela Masogo brings this wine experience to town.
“I thought why not bring the whole Stellenbosch experience to Hartbeespoort? My equipment is arriving in the near future and hopefully by next year Hartbeespoort residents will be able to experience the wine-making process,” the 34-year-old professional winemaker from Hartbeespoort said.
Siwela Wines is a well-known and exclusive brand in South Africa, boasting numerous awards. This includes accolades for her wines at the Gilbert Gaillard International Challenge, Rosé Wine & Spirit Challenge, SA Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards, and others.
Speaking from her intimate Siwela Wine tasting room and lounge in Scott Street in Schoemansville, Siwela talks about her journey from a small village in Limpopo to an award-winning winemaker. “Wine has always been more than just a drink for me. It is a gift that connects people, cultures, and moments in time. I feel blessed to be a part of this ancient tradition, creating wines that bring joy and delight to those who appreciate the finer things in life.”
Siwela is a qualified biotechnologist whose studies steered her into the world of wine. “When I was in matric, I researched various study fields and decided on biotechnology because it was such a diverse field. It applies to the medical, agriculture, food and textile industries. I majored in fermentation and microbiology and during this course, I was introduced to wine-making. I was fascinated and I knew this was my future.”
After obtaining her degree, she accepted an internship at a winery in Stellenbosch. I went from an intern to an employee and then into quality control and the distillery. In 2018 I felt ready to do it myself, and I did,” she says. Siwela Wines was born and she seized the opportunity to create a brand that would reflect her dedication and love for winemaking and respond to the need for representation of black women in the wine industry.

“I realised there was not much representation of young black women in the wine industry, and that became a driving force behind my work. I want to inspire others and break barriers in the field. When I made my first wine, the Siwela Red Blend, I thought my biggest challenge would be selling it. To my big surprise, this was not the case. Although it has not been easy to penetrate the market, we did it. We focus on direct consumer marketing, e-commerce and digital marketing. We do have stores selling our wines, but most sales are online.”
The Siwela wine range includes a wide range of wines including Red Blend, Sweet Red, Pinotage Rosé, Sparkling Wines, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and the Grace collection, named after her mother.
Siwela and her family moved to Hartbeespoort in 2022 and she opened the tasting room which was a hit from the start.
Siwela, her husband and two children, Chardonnay (2) – of course named after wine – and one-month-old baby boy Kabelo, live in a picturesque estate on the Hartbeespoort Dam shore. She travels to Stellenbosch frequently and is closely involved in the production of her wines.
“My journey has been one of passion, purpose, and evolution. I cannot wait for the next chapter when I open the winery and give wine lovers the wine farm experience. I am building a lasting legacy – not just for my children, but for the industry as a whole. I want to inspire others and leave a mark that lasts long after I’m gone. I hope my journey inspires others to chase their own dreams, no matter where they may lead.”
Raise a glass to Siwela!
Visit www.siwelawines.co.za for more information. Contact 060 529 1486.