IN ONE of the cavernous temperature-controlled cellars of Hartenberg Wine Estate near Stellenbosch, a new French oak wine barrel bears the tag “CWG PTG Shiraz Blend 2016”.

CWG stands for the Cape Winemakers’ Guild and PTG for protégé.

The 225 litres of shiraz maturing in the barrel were crafted by 26-year-old Mahalia Kotjane, one of three young aspiring winemakers who guild members have signed up to mentor.

Under the guidance of Hartenberg’s winemaker, Carl Shultz, Kotjane, a graduate of Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, has overseen all aspects of the winemaking.

Next year her shiraz will be decanted into 300 bottles which will be auctioned in October 2017 to raise funds for the mentorship programme.