Winemaker
Wynand Grobler
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- Franschhoek, South Africa

i. Biography
Since 2012, the winemaker role at De Kleine Wijn Koöp has been held by Wynand Grobler. The route into that cellar runs through Bloemfontein, then through winemaking and general-management work at Ernie Els Wines and Rickety Bridge Winery in Franschhoek.
Coming Up
Training for Cape wine work came through Grey College and Stellenbosch University/Universiteit Stellenbosch (2005), with cellar and market exposure established early at Rust & Vrede Wine Estate (2002–2004), where Wynand Grobler worked as cellar and Sales Assistant. The next stage moved into production at Ernie Els Wines (2005–2007), followed by the combined winemaker, General Manager role at Rickety Bridge Winery in Franschhoek (2007–2018). International harvest work added cellar perspective across several sites and teams: Visiting Winemaker roles at Domaine Gayda (2009), Domaine David Dubain (2010), Domaine Bruno Lorenzon (2010), and Uwe Schieffer Weinbau (2011). The current post is winemaker of De Kleine Wijn Koöp, a role Wynand has held since 2012.
Where They Are Now
The De Kleine Wijn Koöp role has placed Wynand Grobler in a cellar context where the working brief is not fixed. His own wording is plain about that posture: "We are rewriting the rulebooks! Anything is possible, nothing is set in stone and to be involved in an ever evolving and exciting industry gets and keeps me going!" The clearest stated reference point is Foundation Stone, described by Wynand as: "It has to be the Foundation Stone – it is a wine that is made old school; whole bunch & natural ferments with no outside influence, terroir in a bottle, as pure as it gets!"
Signature
The signature set attached to Wynand Grobler’s work includes Foundation Stone, Rickety Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Rickety Bridge Shiraz Rosé 2008, The Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon, and Paulina’s Reserve.
In Their Words “It has to be the Foundation Stone – it is a wine that is made old school; whole bunch & natural ferments with no outside influence, terroir in a bottle, as pure as it gets!” “We are rewriting the rulebooks! Anything is possible, nothing is set in stone and to be involved in an ever evolving and exciting industry gets and keeps me going!”
Honors
No honors are included in the approved facts.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Wynand
What is Wynand Grobler's current role?
As of 2026, Wynand Grobler is Winemaker at De Kleine Wijn Koöp.
Where did Wynand Grobler train or study?
Wynand Grobler trained at Grey College and Stellenbosch University/Universiteit Stellenbosch.







