Julia Blaine obtained her degree in Viticulture and Oenology from Stellenbosch University in 2014. After graduating, she worked for Pieter Walser as Assistant Winemaker at the BLANKbottle Winery through the 2018 harvest when she decided she wanted to experience the wider world of wine. That year Julia did her second harvest in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and returned to South Africa for the 2019 vintage at Oldenburg Vineyards before setting off again to California and Oregon. In 2020 she completed her tenth harvest at Kloovenburg Winery. After a stint as assistant winemaker at Louisvale in Stellenbosch, she is now winemaker at Baccō Estate in Paarl. Her Instagram @makstokkie is a reflection of her passion for her chosen career.