We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Glen Carlou’s newly appointed Direct-to-Consumer Manager, Stefan Reinmuth. In his role, Stefan manages front-of-house operations, oversees the wine club, and serves as the private client manager.

A Journey into the World of Wine

Stefan’s journey in the wine industry began in 2010 as a Wine Tutor at Ernie Els Wines, all while pursuing a degree in Drama at the University of Stellenbosch. After completing his undergraduate studies, he earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from Stellenbosch University, which laid a strong foundation for his future career.

International Experience

Eager to broaden his horizons, Stefan moved to Germany, where he joined the wine department of one of the country’s largest retail chains. It was here that his passion for wine truly blossomed. During his final year in Germany, he formalised his expertise by completing both WSET Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications.

Returning to South Africa

Upon returning to South Africa, Stefan was appointed Head Sommelier at Oldenburg Vineyards. His experiences there deepened his appreciation for the synergy between wine and hospitality. In May 2021, he furthered his credentials by earning the Junior Sommelier qualification.

Stefan’s talent and dedication did not go unnoticed; in 2021, he was honoured as one of Wineland Media’s 30 Under 30. He also began competing in national sommelier competitions, achieving remarkable milestones, including:

• Semi-Finals of Best Sommelier South Africa
• Winning the Ubuntu Sommelier Trophy in both 2021 and 2022
• Reaching the Finals of Best Young Sommelier South Africa
• Being named a Finalist for the IWSC’s Emerging Talent in Hospitality award in March 2022

Continuous Growth and New Beginnings

Stefan continued to build on his academic foundation, and by early 2023, he had attained both the SASA Certified Sommelier qualification and the prestigious WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines. At Oldenburg Vineyards, he was promoted to Brand and Private Client Manager in February 2023, playing a key role in brand building and client engagement.

In March 2025, Stefan embraced a new chapter by joining the Glen Carlou team, where he is excited to bring his wealth of experience and passion for wine to enhance the direct-to-consumer experience.

Reach out to Stefan at stefan@glencarlou.co.za if you have any enquiries.