From Lockdown to Vines: Natasha Jacka’s Journey to Winemaking

During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Natasha Jacka, like many others, found herself confined at home with little to do. Instead of succumbing to boredom, she saw an opportunity right outside her window. Jacka used a pause in her agricultural studies to take her dreams into her own hands. She planted her own vineyard at her family’s home in Cape Town, South Africa, fast-tracking her aspiration of becoming a winemaker.

Wine production takes time, and after four years of nurturing her vines, Jacka experienced her first harvest. Her first vintage, crafted from grapes she planted and harvested in her parents’ Cape Town garden, received high praise from critics. Jacka remarked on the relief she felt from the positive reception, knowing her labor of love wasn’t driven by the pursuit of fortune.

Christian Eedes, editor at winemag.co.za, noted Jacka’s venture was a testament to hope, acknowledging the challenge of producing quality wine and turning a profit from such a small vineyard. Jacka planted 1,400 vines in two garden blocks, producing both a white blend and a syrah red varietal—a stark contrast to the tens of thousands found in typical wine farms.

Eedes emphasized the value of craft in winemaking, which stands opposite to mass production. Jacka’s handmade care is apparent in every bottle. The pandemic interrupted Jacka’s ambition while studying viticulture in Stellenbosch, but confinement in her parents’ home spurred creative thinking.

One day, looking out the window, Jacka envisioned vines transforming the garden. That spark led to her family’s support and extensive work, including clearing ground, planting over 1,000 vines, and addressing humorous challenges, such as her mother’s misstep planting vines upside down, and fending off Spirit, the family’s miniature horse.

Jacka’s venture inspired further growth in her career. Her Alinea line of wines now includes five varieties made from grapes sourced throughout the Cape Town region, building on its rich winemaking history. She holds out hope for future harvests from her Noordhoek vines, all the while handling multiple roles in the production and sale of the wines.

Eedes remains captivated by Jacka’s ingenuity during lockdown, reflecting on how she succeeded in creating something extraordinary during a time when many struggled with boredom.

Neil Shaw contributed to this report.