Our people
Neil Ellis
Board Director / Winemaking
Neil launched his career in the corporate environment (with KWV, then South Africa’s biggest wine co-operative) before taking up residency at the historic Groot Constantia Estate. Neil then migrated to Zevenwacht, rapidly putting that newly-built cellar on the wine-map. Invariably thought of as an individualist wine-entrepreneur, he started producing wine in 1986 under the Neil Ellis label. In 1993 Neil Ellis and Hans Schroder pooled their talents in a joint venture which has gone from strength to strength.
Hans Peter Schroder
Board Director/ Marketing
Hans returned to his home-town of Stellenbosch in the late 1980s after an extended sojourn in the Far East. His great passion for wine propelled him to acquire an estate of his own. With characteristic prescience Hans singled out a property in one of Stellenbosch’s premier wine areas, the Jonkershoek Valley. Believing that a joint-venture with an established front-rank winemaker was the route to follow, Hans and Neil formed the partnership, Neil Ellis Wines, in 1993.
Warren Ellis
Winemaker / Viticulturist
Dreaming to be a winemaker as a young boy, Warren started helping his dad in the winery at a young age. He holds both a BSc and MSc Agric in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Stellenbosch. He joined the team in 2006 and recently travelled the European wine world doing research on cellar technology and viticulture. He currently fills the position as winemaker at Neil Ellis Wines with viticultural responsibilities.
Deidré du Plessis
Export & Logistics
Deidré grew up in the beautiful coastal town of Jeffrey’s Bay in the Eastern Cape. After completing her studies in Port Elizabeth she relocated to the Western Cape and joined Neil Ellis Wines in 2001. She manages the exports and logistics with dedication and perfection.
Calvin
Cellar Foreman
Calvin grew up in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape and joined the Neil Ellis team in 1993 with his first harvest in February 1994. He takes the responsibility of cellar foreman at the winery and plays a key role in managing cellar staff in the winery.
Solly
Senior Cellar Hand
Solly grew up in Sterkspruit near the majestic Drakensberg mountains. He joined the Neil Ellis team in December 2006 with his first harvest in 2007. As senior cellar hand he takes responsibility for barrel moving and forklift.
Charl Ellis
Financial Manager
Charl Ellis joined the company from the 1st of December 2011 as Financial Manager. Charl is a Stellenbosch University graduate in Financial and Management Accountancy and has gained fast experience in the retail and banking sector the last 7 years.
Allan Stewart
Accountant
Allan has lived his whole life in a little town called Kraaifontein just a short drive from Stellenbosch. Thanks to his Grade 8 teacher he became immensely interested in accounting and has since never looked back. He joined Neil Ellis Wines in 2002 and holds accounting responsibilities.
Toanette Heins
Financial Assistant
Toanette grew up in the small town of Klapmuts, just outside Paarl. She studied Tourism at the Boland College in Stellenbosch. In 2002 she joined Neil Ellis Wines working in the tasting room. Today her key responsibilities include national orders, debtors and creditors.
Jeff
Senior Cellar Hand
Jeff grew up in Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape and as senior cellar hand his key responsibilities include managing the bottling line. He joined the Neil Ellis team in 1995 and has for the past 15 years played a big part in cellar assistance.
Frederik Boshoff
Production Manager
Frederik, known by his peers as Bossie, started working at Neil Ellis Wines in 2003 as production manager on the labelling line. His key responsibilities include supervising and maitenance of the labelling line and management of orders and stock.
Lion
Production Assistant
Born and bred in Willowale in the Eastern Cape, Lion moved to the Cape region in 1972. He joined the Neil Ellis Wines team in 2009 as production assistant with responsibilities that include preparation and dispatch of orders.
Nikki Ellis
PR & marketing
Nikki Ellis comes from a journalist and creative writing background, working primarily in the food and wine industry. She joined the Neil Ellis Wines team in May 2011 as public relations officer and marketing manager.
Louise Bam
Tasting Room & Sales
Louise Bam has lived her whole life in the beautiful town of Paarl. After some time abroad working in the hospitality industry she returned to her home country and since February 2011 fulfills her passion for wine and people as tasting room manager at Neil Ellis Wines.
Victoria
Housekeeping
Victoria joined the Neil Ellis team at the administration facilities in 2010 and fills her day by keeping the tasting room and kitchen spotless. Her tea-making skills are highly sought-after!
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