Cobie van Oort completed a post-graduate degree in Journalism and Marketing at North-West University in Potchefstroom, after which she was a journalist in print and radio media.  She then worked in retail for around 20 years, ending off at Shoprite/Checkers Head Office in Cape Town as Corporate Advertising Manager.

In 2001 she and her husband Bjorn van Oort started CVO Marketing Pty Ltd and due to an interest in and passion for the wine industry, the company has over the last 15+ years mostly handled work in that field.  The company provides consultancy services to a range of winery clients,  as well as conceptualisting and managing wine events.

Recent consulting clients include Avontuur Estate, Allee Bleue, Boschendal (Hospitality), Yonder Hill and Ayama.  The wine events handled by CVO Marketing includes the Pinotage & Biltong Festivals in the Western Cape and Gauteng, The Cabernet Franc Carnival (W Cape and Gauteng) The Cabernet Franc Challenge and the Tygervalley Centre and Cape Gate Wine Festivals.