Jan 30th: My heart breaks. I owe millions – South Africa's first Black female beer brewer - "I have eight employees," says Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela. "The future of my kids depend on me, what if I can’t pay this back?" South African Breweries (SAB) on Monday said it is suspending at least 500 temporary jobs due to ban on the sale of alcohol. It’s awful for the workers, but SAB is huge – it will survive. Many of the country’s smaller breweries, however, is toast. Read More…
Jan 30th: African Wildlife Foundation launches virtual safaris - The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) has launched a series of virtual safaris that give participants a taste of the safari experience as well as insights on the pandemic threats on wildlife and local communities. The first episode of the series was launched in October with a virtual safari to Tanzania. A guided online tour to Uganda will be organized for Jan. 28, followed by an online tour of Zimbabwe in March. Read More…
Jan 29th: Vinpro Approaches Courts To Save The South African Wine Industry - As one of the oldest agricultural industries in the country, which supports the livelihoods of 269 000 employees, generates R55 billion in revenue for the economy and builds a strong brand reputation as a unique asset for the country, the South African wine industry has become part of our cultural and economic fabric. Read More…
Jan 29th: Oldenburg Vineyards' Views: Full Speed Ahead! - Here on the farm, we are moments away from the start of Harvest 2021, and the anticipation is already building. The build-up to season has been a cooler one, with a generally wetter Spring compared to previous years. As we entered the New Year, the daytime temperatures climbed over 30°C, and veraison kicked in. Read More…
Jan 29th: Maker of Savanna, Klipdrift invests in dagga business amid crippling booze ban - As South Africa’s lockdown prohibition laws continue to cripple the liquor industry, the country’s leading producer of spirits and ciders, Distell, has turned to invest in the burgeoning dagga market. Distell announced that it bought a 20% stake in the local brand RETHINK, which produces a wide range of dagga-based products, including CBD oils, teas, and skincare items. Read More…
Jan 28th: Covid is challenging for most countries' wine industries, but South Africa has to fight its own government as well. - To pick, or not to pick, that is the question. Under normal circumstances, South Africa's winemakers would be celebrating a mercifully uneventful growing season. After years of crippling drought, winter 2020 saw rainfall levels return to normal, with dams full and expectations high. Read More…
Jan 26th: Have you ever thought about where rooibos comes from? A teatime staple famous for its healing properties, this humble South African plant has soared in popularity internationally. But there’s only one place in the world where it’s grown: Clanwilliam. Read More…
Jan 26th: An Insider's Guide to Durbanville Wine Valley - Some wineries offer unique pairings, such as ice cream or nougat and wine, pizza and wine, beer and biltong, or MCC and Macarons, while others are perfectly suited to families. This is thanks to great facilities for kids and parents alike, as well as non-alcoholic pairings. Read More…
Jan 26th: Hungry for business, restaurant industry faces more red tape - Amid an intensified lockdown – under which the sale of alcohol is banned – a stalling economy and Eskom load shedding, South Africa’s hospitality industry is already financially distressed. Now the government has introduced new worker remuneration regulations for the sector. Read More…
Jan 26th: Calls for UK trade to help crippled SA by freeing up tank space - Richard Bampfield MW has issued a call to the UK trade to support the beleaguered South African wine industry as producers continue to suffer crippling government restriction and oversupply issues. Winemakers in the country suffered a rollercoaster of a year in 2020 (see timeline below), and are still currently legally banned from selling wine domestically. Read More…
Jan 23rd: Tamsin Snyman’s journey to plant-based healing - An extensive career in the world of food, coupled with a family history of dread disease and the necessity of proper diet, have led Tamsin Snyman to create a range of plant-based products. Read More…
Jan 23rd: Jewell’s Restaurant at Spice Route: Nose-To-Tail Dining in Paarl - Location is everything at this gem of a destination, an easy 45-minute drive from Cape Town. (Well, that’s before you’ve had your first bite of food.) Perched on a hill at the bustling Spice Route destination, but tucked away so it feels like a private experience, Jewell’s Restaurant flaunts generous views of the surrounding farmlands, with the Simonsberg Mountains and Table Mountain framing the scene. Read More…
Jan 22nd: South Africa's wine industry suffers badly - Since December 26, South Africa has again had an alcohol sales ban, the third since the start of the Corona pandemic. In the last twelve months, South Africa's producers have thus had to cope with an 18-week sales stop on the domestic market, where half of South Africa's wine volume is usually sold. Read More…
Jan 22nd: Why Can't You Smell? Doctors and Scientists Are Working to Understand COVID-19's Impact on Our Senses - When Dr. Christian Squillante traveled to South Africa in February 2020, he enjoyed safari rides and explored the local wine regions. But halfway into the trip, the Minneapolis-based oncologist developed a fever and severe fatigue that lasted two days. He recovered quickly and didn't give it much thought until two weeks later, when he opened a bottle of Chenin Blanc he had brought back from his trip and found it tasted like water. Read More…
Jan 21st: Khayelitsha’s finest: Négociant Lindile Ndzaba is bringing fine wine to the township - Lindile Ndzaba breezes in, a bottle of wine in each hand (prior to the booze ban) and a broad smile on his face. In his mid-30s, affable and quietly confident, he has the gently simmering fervour of a man on a mission. And for Ndzaba, it’s a mission that began with mourvèdre. Read More…
Jan 21st: 5 Reasons Not to Shy Away from Swartland Chenin Blanc - Chenin Blanc is a grape that is repeatedly met with great acclaim, creativity and ingenuity in South Africa. Chenin Blanc and Columbar are the two most frequently used grapes that are used to produce the base wine for South Africa’s world-renowned brandy. Read More…
Jan 21st: Tom Jones of the Whalley Wine Shop details his favourite South African wine. - Covid-19 has bought the world to a bit of a standstill, but countries across the globe are reacting in different fashions. The South African government, for example, has decided to ban the sale of alcohol in an attempt to stop social drinking and reduce alcohol-related hospital admissions. Read More…
Jan 20th: South Africa's glass packagers face $100 million hit from alcohol ban - Consol - South Africa’s glass packaging industry could lose a further 1.5 billion rand ($98 million) in sales if the latest ban on alcohol sales continues for long, the CEO of glass bottle maker Consol said on Monday. Read More…
Jan 20th: Au Revoir, La Tête. We are devastated to announce that La Tête will be closing its doors in the first week of February. Despite great determination to see ourselves through this prohibitive time, we can honestly say that we have tried every avenue to no avail.
Jan 20th: Aaaand we’re back! Charley’s Bakery’s are open and our counters are filled with all sorts of sumptuous sweet treats to tempt your tastebuds! Call us on +27 21 461-5181, send us a WhatsApp on +27 78 101 9183, order through MrD Takeaways & deliveries only
Jan 20th: Cape Winelands’ Hall of Fame 2021 - Of the thousands of wines produced in South Africa, 725 qualified for inclusion in the 2021 SA Wine Classification on the basis of good reviews from the top panels over the past 10 years. Read More…
Jan 20th: Our Top 5 Safari Spots in South Africa - South Africa is a diverse country with approximately 20 million hectares of land dedicated solely to game reserves. It is incredible to know that in a country that spans over 114.2 million hectares there are as many as 10 000 private game reserves which collectively offer sanctuary to as many as 230 mammal species and over 800 species of birds. Read More…
Jan 19th: The Gorgeous Gardens of Global Wineries - DeMorgenzon Winery shows up in this article about some of the most beautiful gardens at wineries. Many wineries have gorgeous gardens. Some grow vegetables and herbs to use as produce, while others tend formal gardens that burst with peonies or pink roses. These six international standouts offer impressive grounds as well as an array of wines to sip amidst the flora. Read More…
Jan 19th: It’s Not Your Fault That Restaurants Are Going Out of Business During the Pandemic - Last March, when Covid-19 was first ravaging its way through the nation, we were bombarded with calls for us to “Save restaurants!” First, we heard misguided messages to get one last meal or round of drinks before heading into shutdown. Read More…
Jan 19th: No sulphites added wine: the great debate - The use of sulphur dioxide as a preservative in winemaking is a contentious topic, and it elicits strong opinions from producers and wine lovers alike. Rupert Joy gives an overview of the issue, weighing the pros and cons of an SO2-free approach. Read More…
Jan 19th: Young, black, female, winemaker: Siwela Masoga faces tough times as booze ban drags on - While debate continues to rage around the ban on alcohol sales, small businesses are reeling under this disastrous regulation. One of them is Siwela Wines, run by a young, black woman – a rarity in an industry dominated by white men. Read More…
Jan 19th: South African alcohol bans under Covid lockdown - Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa’s President) reinstated a ban on the sale of alcohol at both restaurants and retail outlets on December 28 2020, and that ban is still in place today, with an end-date to be determined by the whims of the National Coronavirus Command Council. Read More…
Jan 18th: Built on Place, Lived through Family - Anyone driving up the road to Delheim Estate, the rows of vines ahead and that sight of the majestic Simonsberg towering over the landscape, will understand that we are somewhat impassioned about Delheim’s sense of place. Read More…
Jan 18th: Cheyne Morrisby will be opening up his home for a few incredible intimate dining experiences. Him and his team will be putting a 4 Bowl Experience together. There will 16 options on the night. Cost is R500 per head. Strictly bookings only. WhatsApp on 0790674919 for all the info.
Jan 18th: This year marks the 50th year of Cap Classique production in South Africa, as well as Simonsig’s 50th Cap Classique vintage, since founder Frans Malan first pioneered this quintessential French style method in the Cape in 1971.
Jan 18th: ADAM MASON TAKES HOLD OF THE BATON AT DeMorgenzon - Adam’s journeyman phase began on graduating from Stellenbosch University with a degree in Oenology and Viticulture in 1997. Read More…
Jan 18th: South African exports to UK rise 23% - Exports of South African wine to the UK rose 23% by value and 7% in volume in 2020 according to the latest figures released by industry body SAWIS. Read More…
Jan 15th: Congratulations are in order! Wesgro has appointed Monika Iuel as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Iuel will take the lead of the destination marketing organisation and communications and marketing teams from 15 March 2021.
Jan 15th: The South African wine industry is an engine of transformation, don't switch it off - Alert Level 3 in South Africa has been indefinitely extended, which continues to prohibit the domestic sale of any alcoholic drink for on - and off-consumption. Read More…
Jan 15th: Out of the frying pan, and onto the screen: SA Wine’s digital revolution in the face of a global pandemic - I’m typing with my laptop balanced precariously atop the microwave in my small Sea Point kitchen, while I attempt to coax the aromas from a pan of sizzling onion and garlic. Read More…
Jan 15th: There’s Always A Silver Lining At Creation Wines - This past week the South African Wine Industry received yet another directive from Government, this time extending the ban on the local sale of alcohol to the 15th of February. This means that in this financial year, we will not have been able to sell our wines locally for 22 weeks. Read More…
Jan 15th: South Africa’s most-raved-about wines in 2020 – every one a champion - THESE ARE the South African wines most highly rated in 2020, contenders for the title of SA Wine of the Year! Or should that be Winery of the Year, or Winemaker of the Year? Read More…