Wikus Pretorius on Conservation and the Art of Winemaking

Wikus Pretorius's journey to winemaker at La Petite Ferme has been anything but ordinary, from menu mishaps in Corsica to transforming harvest issues caused by baboons into a celebrated wine brand. This is a story of innovation, resilience, and authentic luxury in every bottle.

“Nature doesn’t care about your preconceived plans. You must follow and trust Mother Nature – not fight against her.”

From Marketing Professional to Master Winemaker

In the competitive world of winemaking, Wikus Pretorius stands out not only for his wines but also for his unconventional pathway into the cellar. Lacking formal winemaking education, he carved his own path through vineyards globally and learned his craft on-site in diverse regions like Corsica, California, and Australia. “The wonderful thing about winemaking is,” he reflects, “you travel the world, experience so many different regions, terroirs, cultures – and, of course, wines.” Collaborating with some of the industry’s most renowned vintners, he gleaned both positive and challenging lessons, gradually developing his own style. At La Petite Ferme, this accumulated knowledge has given him the confidence to express not only the terroir of Franschhoek but also his own identity as a vintner and as a person.

Learning in Nature’s Classroom

His time in Corsica was particularly formative – though not without challenges, including some memorable mishaps with menus due to language barriers. More importantly, the island's vastly different terroirs and fickle weather taught him a fundamental lesson about winemaking: “Nature doesn’t care about your preconceived plans,” he says. “You must follow and trust Mother Nature – not fight against her.” This realization later became the cornerstone of his viticultural philosophy, emphasizing the value of adaptability and respect for natural processes.

Creating in Harmony with Nature at La Petite Ferme

This philosophy of working in harmony with nature is now at the heart of his approach at La Petite Ferme in Franschhoek, South Africa. “Winemaking means creating something from nature – we cannot escape this fact,” Wikus explains. “How quickly you grasp this concept determines how successful you are as a vintner.” Each vintage at La Petite Ferme is viewed as a unique window into that year’s natural conditions. The winemaking is adjusted to suit the seasonal factors at play. While there are fundamental principles in viticulture, for Wikus, these are more flexible guidelines than rigid rules – allowing each season’s unique character to naturally shape the wine.

The Baboon Rock Story: Turning Challenges into Opportunities

This philosophy is perhaps best exemplified in the story behind the winery’s Baboon Rock line. When chacma baboons began stealing up to 40% of the Chardonnay harvest from the vineyards at the Middagkrans mountain slopes, Wikus didn’t see it as a setback. Instead, he embraced the situation, sourced alternative Chardonnay grapes from the limestone soils of Robertson, and created the Baboon Rock brand – a perfect example of how to turn a challenge into an opportunity. The brand has since developed into one of the winery’s most dynamic labels and recently underwent a thoughtful refresh that better reflects its broad appeal while retaining its signature style.

Conservation through Collaboration

This experience led to a meaningful partnership with Baboon Matters, a conservation organization dedicated to protecting chacma baboons. The collaboration, born from an immediate connection with founder Jenni Trethowan, goes beyond mere branding – it includes practical support for the emergency care of injured baboons and efforts to raise awareness about their declining populations. A central aim of the partnership is to challenge the widespread misconception that chacma baboons do not require protection simply because they are not on the endangered species list. The recently updated Baboon Rock wine line reflects this commitment, featuring new label designs that embody La Petite Ferme’s philosophy of “Authentic Luxury” while highlighting the complex relationship between winemaking and conservation.

Marketing Meets Winemaking

Wikus’s marketing background has proven to be extremely valuable in the competitive wine industry. “I always say, making wine is the ‘easy’ part. Selling is a whole different beast,” he notes. His approach focuses on storytelling, creating personal connections between consumers and the brand. “You need them to feel, see, and taste your passion for the product. If you manage that, half the battle is won.” This understanding of both the creative and commercial aspects of winemaking gives him a unique advantage in an increasingly competitive market.

Living Every Day with Purpose

A near-fatal helicopter crash in Namibia instilled in Wikus a deep appreciation for the everyday moments of life. While this experience had no direct impact on his wine production, it heightened his awareness of the importance of enjoying every day and not getting distracted by life’s negatives. “We often get trapped in the negative things of everyday life,” he reflects. “And it’s easy to overlook the great things and people around us.” This perspective seems to permeate his entire approach to winemaking – embracing challenges, collaborating with nature rather than against it, and creating wines that tell authentic stories.