Mahalia Kotjane is a South African winemaker. A devoted mother of three, Mahalia balances the art of winemaking with the joys of family life.
Meet Mahalia
Mahalia Kotjane: co-founder and winemaker of Three Quarters Wines, a premium, boutique South African wine brand.
Originally from Vosloorus, her passion for winemaking began in high school during a biology project on fermentation—an early spark that led her to study Viticulture and Oenology at Elsenburg Agricultural College.
Mahalia was selected to participate in the prestigious Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme—a rigorous three-year mentorship designed to cultivate the next generation of South Africa’s leading winemakers. During this time, she gained valuable experiences from some of South Africa's top winemakers, including Ernie Els Wines, Hartenberg, and Steenberg. The programme also offered her the opportunity to complete an international harvest in Burgundy, France—an experience that deepened both her technical and sensory understanding of wine.
The Backstory
After completing the programme, Mahalia joined the winemaking team at Stark-Condé and later Lievland Vineyards, where she contributed to crafting award-winning wines. Amongst her many earned notable recognition, Her highlight is being crowned Best Rosé in South Africa three years running (Tim Atkin MW).
In 2022, Mahalia launched Three Quarters Wines—a name inspired by her unique birth order: she’s the fourth child of three pregnancies, thanks to a pair of twins among her siblings. It also reflects her winemaking philosophy—that fine wine is a virtue of three key elements: Character, Quality, and Personality—expressed through Terroir, Winemaking, and Weather, respectively. But there’s an unspoken fourth element that gives wine its soul: people. From the hands that tend the vines to those who gather to share a bottle, it’s about turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.
The Winery
Our vineyards are rooted in the Stellenbosch region, on the unique topography and soils of Polkadraai Hills.
Our grapes are sourced from two exceptional parcels. One grows on sandstone soils at the foothills of Polkadraai, while the other thrives on the northeast-facing granite slopes of Karibib. These contrasting terroirs bring layered complexity and character to our wines.
We focus on Syrah and Rhône-style blends, including a vibrant Rhône-style Rosé, an elegant Rhône-inspired red blend, and a site-specific Syrah from the Polkadraai Hills — each crafted with intention and place-driven identity. In the cellar, we embrace a "less is more" philosophy — applying minimal intervention to allow the wine to express its natural origin. The result? A pure, honest reflection of the land, climate, and character behind every bottle.
