Wine tourism is one of South Africa’s fastest-growing sectors, and at Kanu Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, it thrives through connection, warmth, and storytelling. Known for its inviting atmosphere and proudly local hospitality culture, Kanu gives visitors more than a tasting — it offers a sense of belonging. Under the guidance of tasting room manager Cobus Germishuys, four young ambassadors are gaining practical experience in what makes a wine estate memorable: people who care, stories that matter, and service that feels personal.
Cobus leads with presence and intention. He teaches students how to read guests, pace experiences, and share stories with confidence — the skills that turn a simple tasting into a meaningful moment. With him, they learn that wine tourism isn’t just about wine; it’s about the human experience behind it.
Four Young Ambassadors Interpreting the Future of the Industry
Ross Rhodes, originally from KwaZulu-Natal, studies Agriculture and Economics at Stellenbosch University. Drawn in by the Western Cape’s commitment to quality wine, Ross views wine tourism as a vital economic force driven by passionate people.
At Kanu, he guides tastings, engages visitors, and sees first-hand how hospitality strengthens the estate’s reputation and the region’s future.
Jahni Gerber, raised on a wine farm where her father has farmed for more than 40 years, brings deep understanding of the industry’s challenges and heritage. With her Humanities and Linguistics background, she shares the stories behind Kanu’s wines with clarity and pride. To Jahni, wine tourism is about cultural identity — helping visitors appreciate the people and history behind every bottle.
Neve Costello, a culinary student, joined Kanu to better understand wine for her future as a chef. What she discovered was the heart of hospitality: teamwork, patience, and the ability to make guests feel welcome. Whether pouring wines or supporting the team during tastings, she helps create the warm, relaxed environment that keeps visitors returning.
Matthew Wege, studying Aviation with a focus on flight attending, experiences wine tourism through an international lens. He supports the tasting room team, learning how service, professionalism, and genuine hospitality shape a visitor’s impression of South Africa. For Matthew, Kanu is a place where tourism meets opportunity and where young people learn real-world skills that carry across industries.
From Wednesdays through to Sundays, the tasting room fills with visitors from across South Africa and abroad — and these four students are the ones shaping those moments. Together, guided by Cobus’s hands-on mentorship, they represent the future of wine tourism: informed, passionate, and ready to carry South Africa’s story forward with confidence.
