With a passion for people and a love for learning, Willmarie Fortuin is shaping her future through every guest and lesson she encounters.

Born in Tulbagh in the Western Cape, Willmarie Fortuin has been a welcoming presence at Krone’s Tasting Room at Twee Jonge Gezellen for the past five years. Perched atop a 300-year-old heritage building—home to Africa’s first underground cellar—this space is where Willmarie makes sure that every detail is ready for guests, from the wine flights to the freshly roasted pecan nuts, harvested then prepared in a kitchen just a few steps away on the farm.

During the first Chefs In Residence that Krone launched in February, she was in the kitchen helping out Fergus Henderson OBE, Margot Henderson OBE, their son Hector Henderson and chosen family Rose Chalalai-Singh when they cooked for the 200 guests who came to experience the lunches. 

She enjoyed every second of it and describes it as if they were all on the set of MasterChef. “They were so hardworking but also so kind”, she says of the quartet. When we ask Willmarie if she would like to become a chef one day, she says though she loved working with the iconic team, that she prefers being in the Tasting Room more. “I don’t want to be behind the scenes, I like to be in the front, out and about and meeting people every day.” 

With a background in hospitality, Willmarie spent nine years at the historic Tulbagh Hotel, originally opened in 1859. When she felt it was time to grow and challenge herself in a new setting, she joined the Krone team. Her commitment to learning and wanting to make sure guests have the best experience, continues—this June, she proudly received a certificate in food and beverage handling - the 2021 Implementation Plan GETC Food and Beverage Handling Processes NQF 1 (006) (007).

I wanted to gain knowledge, skills and experience that would help me do my job better, especially when it comes to things like stocktake.

It’s about being recognised for what I’ve achieved. It makes me excited for what’s possible in the future. At first it was a struggle (some people even dropped out), finding time to study, finishing the homework (lots of it!), look after my daughter and son, and find a routine. Once I was able to manage my time, it became much easier. The exam, which they gave us a month to prepare for, was nerve-wrecking.

Getting to spend time with different people every day, sharing the history of the farm with them and telling them about our Cap Classique. If they ask me for one recommendation, I usually say the Kaaimansgat Blanc de Blancs, which is my favourite, and comes from the oldest chardonnay vine block in the Western Cape. It’s great to be able to share the history of the wine.

I am an extrovert so I gain my energy from being around people. I love any kind of sport, I’m a fan of netball and I also enjoy reading. My favourite types of books are about real life, like documentaries and memoirs. The one that stands out for me is by Zelda La Grange - Good Morning, Mr Mandela. There's always something to learn from someone else’s story. That you can adapt and learn and see people through different eyes to how you have been raised. 

I’d like to grow into a supervisory role. Personally, I want to be in a good place—happy with my family and financially able to support the people I care about. For my community, I hope there will be more job opportunities and inclusive spaces where people can connect.