Having started his career in hospitality before studying viticulture and oenology at Stellenbosch University, Kyle Davids’ sights were always set on the wine trade, but it wasn’t until he won a place on the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme in 2020 – ‘one of the most influential stepping stones’ of his career – that the trajectory of his winemaking journey really took off.
Now assistant winemaker at Babylonstoren, the special guest on Episode 280 of The Drinking Hour has launched a project to welcome more people of colour into wine, paying forward the support which made his own career a possibility. ‘It’s our responsibility, not just as winemakers, but as wine enthusiasts, to explain it to people and welcome them in,’ he says.
Discussion turns to the advice he would give to other budding winemakers following in his footsteps (‘If you’re arrogant, you’re not going to make it, but if you’re willing and humble enough to learn, you’ll be good.’) and to his ultimate career goals. Plus, he tells host David Kermode what he loves most about making wine, and gives an insight into what it feels like to be at the forefront of change within the South African wine scene. ‘It’s a slow process, but it’s happening,’ he says.
Discover more episodes of The Drinking Hour with David Kermode here.
