Meet the team

Our Sommeliers

Every Cépage consultation is led by a certified wine professional who knows the region's wines intimately. No gatekeeping — just honest, approachable expertise.

LM

Lerato Mokoena

Cape Wine Master · South Africa

Lerato trained at the Cape Wine Academy and holds the prestigious Cape Wine Master title — one of fewer than 50 in the country. She specialises in Cape blends, age-worthy reds, and helping new collectors build confidence. Her philosophy: "There are no wrong answers in wine, only unexplored preferences."

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Johan van der Berg

Certified Sommelier · South Africa

Johan spent a decade on restaurant floors from Stellenbosch to London before joining Cépage. He's the go-to for cellar planning, investment-grade bottles, and food pairings that surprise. He believes every dinner table deserves a great glass.

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Sanne de Vries

WSET Diploma · Netherlands

Based in Amsterdam, Sanne brings deep knowledge of French, Italian, and German classics to Cépage's Dutch members. She ran wine imports before turning to education, and her tastings are known for making Burgundy and Barolo approachable.

MB

Maarten Bakker

Fine Wine Buyer · Netherlands

Maarten spent 15 years sourcing for top Amsterdam restaurants. He now curates the Dutch catalog and advises members on rare finds and auction-worthy bottles. If you're building a serious cellar in Europe, he's your guide.