The Cybercellar Team

Fiona Phillips

Job title: CEO and Founder
Favourite wines: Heavy spicy reds for winter, crisp dry bubbles for summer, and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without my vintage Vin de Constance.
Bio: Former investment banker from London with an MBA from UCT. Member of MENSA UK (yup, honest!). Fiona has progressed through several Cape Wine Academy courses to Diploma II level.
Who I am: "Just hired a COO, so I'm off to play golf!"

Johann van Tonder

Job title: COO
Favourite wines: The gems from smaller wineries. Some that stand out: Quando Sauvignon Blanc (Robertson), Lemberg Sauvignon Blanc (Tulbagh), OnderkloofPinotage (Somerset West) and Babylonstoren Viognier, which made a big impression.
Bio: Johann spent 10 years in Internet management positions at the JSE-listed Naspers, reporting to group CEO Koos Bekker in the last years. He recently swopped international business class travel for cycling to work in Paarl. An MBA graduate (thesis on ecommerce strategy), he also completed an executive Internet Strategy course at Harvard. He is currently working on a Doctorate in Business Administration, but looks particularly forward to building on his Cape Wine Academy certificate.
Who I am: "Not enough hours in the day."

David Muller

Job title: CTO
Favourite wines: Lately I've left the ABC club and I’m dazzled by the creamy charms of a wooded Chardonnay, my favourite being Mulderbosch Barrel Fermented Chardonnay and Wild Yeast Chardonnay from Arendsig.
Bio: A Stellenbosch University graduate in BA Value and Policy Studies, David has done all sorts of things, including backpacking extensively through East Africa. He worked at the Johannesburg High Court, Portchie's Art Gallery, Land Rover G4 Challenge (South Africa), Teambuilding Facilitator and Project Manager in the local M-Health space.
Who I am: "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse."

Francois Marais

Job title: Web Developer
Favourite wines: Red & Sweet
Bio: Worked in the US for two years and in London for a year, before returning to SA to work at Medi-Clinic as technical assistant in theatre. Since then he’s been involved in web development in the wine industry, which ultimately led to a position at Cybercellar.
Who I am: "I love the why of things."

Stefan Coetzee

Job title: Sales and Marketing Manager
Favourite wines: Too many! But if I had to name a few favourites from SA quickly, the following would feature: Sauvignon Blanc (Hermanuspietersfontein No 5, De Grendel Koetshuis, Sauvignon.com, Jordan The Outlier) Pinot Noir (Oak Valley, Paul Cluver, Sumaridge, Cape Chamonix, Bouchard Finlayson) Chardonnay (Jordan Nine Yards, Arendsig Wild Yeast, Hamilton Russel, Journeys End) Chenin Blanc – especially richer styles (Oldenburg, Spier 21 Gables, Kanu KCB, Mulderbosch, Raats) Cabernet Franc (Warwick, Hermanuspieterfontein, Raats) Syrah (Mullineux, Boekenhoutskloof, Hartenberg, Eagles Nest) Cabernet Sauvignon (Stark Conde, Eikendal,De Trafford, Saxenburg) Bubbly (Blanc de Blanc! Colmant, Jacques Bruere)
Bio: Winery Sales Representative (Africa 2 Asia – Hong Kong), 3 Harvests under the belt: South Africa (De Grendel, Diemersdal) and California(Chateau Montelena), Events Planning and Management, catering, cocktail Barman (Relish Kitchen Hong Kong), Internet Marketing (Getsmarter), avid Wine Taster! Education: BA Value and Policy Studies (Stellenbosch), Cape Wine Academy Certificate, WSET Level 2.
Who I am: "If I’m not at the office or on the road you’ll find me hiking, reading, watching food channels and wildlife documentaries. I’ll always find something to celebrate; my glass is half full."

Elreece van Wyk

Job title: Accounts Assistant
Favourite wines: Solms Delta Cape Jazz Shiraz.
Bio: With previous experience in the tourism industry, Elreece started at Cybercellar as Admin Assistant and later moved to the accounts department. She also helps with logistics.
Who I am: "I am an outdoors-girl, but I also value time with my family & friends."