Although Yvonne Lester is the only sibling in her family to be currently immersed in the South African wine industry, her proud heritage tells a different story with both her grandfathers playing prominent roles in Distell, KWV and Mont Blois. Her decision to choose the wine industry as a career therefore came naturally, and after graduating in 2000 from the University of Stellenbosch with a BSc in Viticulture & Oenology, she joined Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons as assistant winemaker in 2001. In 2012 she was named Head Winemaker following the winery's cellar expansion where she remained for 10 years. In 2022 she was appointed winemaker at the Stellenbosch winery of Eikendal for the harvest and is now pursuing her own independent career.