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As Heritage and Tourism Month begins, Avontuur Estate follows the journey of the winemaker behind its most distinctive wines

As first light crosses the Helderberg and the vineyards begin to stir, Dominique Modena is already looking towards the season ahead. At Avontuur Estate, acclaimed wines, thoroughbred horses and generations of estate heritage share one landscape, giving her the freedom to pursue two lifelong passions.

Set between cooling Atlantic breezes and distant views of False Bay and Table Mountain, the vineyards of the Helderberg form part of one of South Africa's most celebrated wine-growing regions. Here, Modena helps craft wines that express the character of their origin.

Her journey to the cellar began a long way from these vineyards, in Kleinzee, the small mining town on the West Coast of the Northern Cape. Following Modena's path brings the story behind the bottle into focus – a story shaped by the land, the people who care for it, the traditions that give it character and the sense of place that continues to draw visitors to the Helderberg.

Wine was not an obvious career choice for a young girl growing up in Kleinzee.

“I grew up in the small mining town of Kleinzee, on the West Coast of the Northern Cape, where vineyards were not common, if at all,” recalls Modena. “Although wine wasn't part of my everyday surroundings, I was always fascinated by our family trips to the Cape, where I fell in love with the beautiful vineyards and wine estates.”

Those early visits opened a new direction, sparking a fascination with wine and agriculture that would eventually shape her future.

“It was actually my family who suggested winemaking,” she says. “They recognised that it brought together so many of the things I love – the outdoors, working with plants, and the scientific side of understanding how things work.”

The more she explored the profession, the clearer the path became.

“It offered the opportunity to work with nature while applying science in a practical, creative way, and that was when I knew it was something I wanted to pursue professionally.”

Moving to the Cape confirmed her direction. “Learning about the rich history of South African wine and discovering just how intricate the winemaking process is deepened my passion for the craft,” she says.
That curiosity continues to guide her work today. One lesson has remained constant throughout her career: success starts long before harvest.

“Careful planning, preparation and attention to detail are essential.”

Along the way, mentors and fellow winemakers helped shape her approach, encouraging resilience and a commitment to continual learning.

Where Wine Meets Horses

Several years into her career, Modena found her way to Avontuur Estate, where exceptional vineyards and a rich equestrian heritage brought two of her greatest passions together.

“The Helderberg is one of South Africa's most sought-after wine-growing regions, producing exceptional fruit. As a winemaker, it's hard not to be excited by the opportunity to work with grapes of that quality.”

Between the mountains and the sea, the region benefits from a distinctive combination of elevation, granite and shale soils, and cooling Atlantic breezes.

“The Helderberg consistently produces fruit with a real sense of place, and that's something I always try to preserve in every wine I make. My goal is never to mask what the vineyard gives us, but rather to let the fruit and the site shine through.”

For a lifelong horse lover, Avontuur's thoroughbred heritage offered another landscape to explore.
“Not in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I would be able to bring together two of my greatest passions, winemaking and horses.”

When she is not in the cellar or vineyards, she can often be found with Ruby, her horse and trusted companion.

“Her name is Ruby. No pun intended, but she truly is a gem.”

For Modena, horses provide a welcome space beyond the cellar.

“She brings me so much joy and gives me the opportunity to switch off from the demands of winemaking and spend time outdoors. Horses have taught me patience, consistency, and the importance of building trust, qualities that I believe also carry over into winemaking.”

Power, Precision and Poetry

Modena's approach reflects Avontuur's philosophy of producing Wines of Power, Precision and Poetry. The estate's Disa Gorge Chardonnay and West Peak Cabernet Sauvignon offer two expressions of that philosophy.

“These wines are about allowing the vineyard to express itself. My role is to guide the process in the cellar while preserving those qualities and allowing the true personality of the wine to shine through.”
Her dedication to quality has also earned recognition, including a finalist position in the prestigious Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year Awards.

“What made this recognition so special to me was that it was centred around the wine itself. The wine was what was being judged and celebrated, which made it feel like a true reflection of the work that goes into creating it.”

A Region Finding Its Voice

As Helderberg wines continue to gain recognition, Modena is looking towards what comes next.
The region's combination of exceptional terroir, diverse vineyards and a distinctive coastal-mountain climate allows winemakers to produce wines with freshness, elegance, structure and complexity, while maintaining a clear connection to their origin.

“What excites me most is seeing the Helderberg gain the recognition it deserves. I think more and more people, both locally and internationally, are beginning to appreciate what makes the region so special.”

She also sees significant opportunity for South African wine as consumers increasingly seek authenticity and a stronger connection to place.

“We have the opportunity to continue showcasing our incredible diversity, highlighting the quality of our wines, and building an even stronger reputation on the international stage as a producer of world-class wines.”

As Women's Month gives way to Heritage and Tourism Month, Modena's journey highlights the stories, landscapes, traditions and people that make South Africa's wine regions distinctive.
Her path ahead is one of continual growth – helping to strengthen Avontuur's reputation while continuing to refine her craft. From a childhood spent dreaming about vineyards encountered on family trips to crafting wines beneath the Helderberg and spending time with Ruby, her journey has been shaped by curiosity, dedication and a deep appreciation for place.

As the sun sets over the Helderberg and the vineyards fall into shadow, she appears to have found a place where both passions can continue to unfold.

Like the wines she creates, Modena's story continues to develop through power, precision and poetry.

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