Nestled in the iconic Stellenbosch region, Ntsiki Biyela isn’t just making award-winning wines—she’s rewriting the story of African entrepreneurship on the world stage.
Born in Mahlabathini, a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal, Biyela’s journey into winemaking was serendipitous.
In 1998, she received a scholarship from South African Airways to study viticulture and oenology at Stellenbosch University, despite having never tasted wine before.
Overcoming language barriers and cultural challenges, she graduated in 2003 and began her career at Stellekaya Wines, becoming South Africa’s first Black female winemaker.
In 2016, driven by a desire to create wines that reflect her identity, Biyela founded Aslina Wines, named after her grandmother.
Without owning vineyards, she sourced grapes from sustainable vineyards around Stellenbosch, producing varietals including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Bordeaux-style blend Umsasane. The Umsasane blend, named after her grandmother’s nickname meaning ‘acacia tree’ in Zulu, symbolizes strength and resilience.
Biyela challenges traditional wine descriptors by using familiar local terms, making wine more accessible to South Africans. For instance, she might describe a wine’s aroma as similar to ‘amasi,’ a local fermented milk product, rather than using European-centric terms like ‘truffles.’
Aslina Wines has garnered international acclaim, with the Umsasane 2016 blend winning a Gold Medal at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards. Biyela’s wines are now exported to countries including the USA, Germany, Ghana, and Taiwan.
Beyond winemaking, Biyela is committed to transforming the South African wine industry. She serves on the board of the Pinotage Youth Development Academy, mentoring young South Africans from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue careers in wine.
Ntsiki Biyela’s journey from a rural village to an internationally recognized winemaker exemplifies the power of resilience and cultural authenticity in entrepreneurship.
Through Aslina Wines, she not only produces exceptional wines but also paves the way for greater diversity and inclusion in the global wine industry.
