Q&A: CARMEN STEVENS WINES
Carmen Stevens –
growing a brand, not just a wine company
Carmen Stevens is the first Black female to register a 100% Black-owned winery in Stellenbosch, Carmen Stevens Wines. What is the driving force behind your success?
To be and stay financially independent with the aim of offering my children and family better prospects now and in the future. I aim to do better with each vintage I produce as I want to leave a legacy that speaks of a person that did not just do a job, but enjoyed the career path I chose for myself. Additionally, I play a role in the future of so many learners’ success at school level, which is very close to my heart.
Tell us about your journey as the first Black female to register a 100% Blackowned winery in Stellenbosch.
The idea of making wine came to me through novels that I read when I was at school. It was the lifestyle that was associated with wine that initially triggered the idea; the wealth, opulence, and the green environment that were described in the novels.
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What were some of the major hurdles you had to overcome?
I applied three times over a period of three years to study winemaking. The first rejection was because the college was only open to white South Africans, the second was because I did not have an agriculture background, and the third rejection was because I didn’t do military service! My challenges now are different, with market access being the biggest.
You have won numerous awards – did you always envision yourself as an entrepreneur in the wine industry?
No, I just knew that I wanted to do more than just work for a big company or corporate doing more admin than winemaking. The world opened for SA and most winemakers ventured into making wines under their own names, which seemed like the ideal path to follow after working for big companies.
