Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Cape's stylistic breadth shines

Published: 20 November, 2024

South African wine is reaching new heights as quality and affordability combine to deliver premium sales. Andrew Catchpole reports.

SA delivers first female OIV president drawn from Africa

Published: 21 October, 2024

South Africa’s wine industry is basking in a moment of pride having had one of its number announced as president of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).

South Africa hopeful of recovery after ‘challenging’ 2024 harvest

Published: 15 October, 2024

After a difficult 2024 season, which was characterised by floods, frost and strong winds, South African wine producers are optimistic about the 2025 harvest.

Rascallion and Hammonds of Knutsford sign new partnership

Published: 12 September, 2024

Family-owned independent wine and spirits specialist, Hammonds of Knutsford, has brokered a new partnership with Rascallion Wines of South Africa to be its exclusive agent in the UK and Ireland.

Four leading South Africa estates join Hallgarten

Published: 02 September, 2024

Hallgarten & Novum Wines is significantly expanding its South African portfolio with the exclusive addition of four premium suppliers from across the country.

Klein Constantia says farewell to Hans Astrom

Published: 17 June, 2024

Klein Constantia has announced that Hans Astrom, vice chairman and former MD, will be stepping down at the end of September after 12 years at the estate.

SA Wine partners with Stellenbosch University on 'pioneering' Chenin Blanc project

Published: 19 March, 2024

South Africa Wine, The South African Grape and Wine Research Institute (SAGWRI), Stellenbosch University, and the Chenin Blanc Association of South Africa (CBA) are launching a pioneering initiative to advance the prominence and economic viability of Chenin Blanc from the Cape.

Kingsland expands bottled at source range with Boland Cellar

Published: 02 February, 2024

Major bottler Kingsland Drinks has signed an exclusive deal with Boland Cellar in a move which will expand the company’s bottled at source premium portfolio to include South Africa.

DGB expands Helderberg footprint with Avontuur

Published: 23 January, 2024

As an extension to its already-significant investment into Stellenbosch’s Helderberg wine region, DGB has signed an agreement with Avontuur Estate to take over the running of the wine brand, including its wine production facilities and cellar door.

Amandla celebrates Matthew Clark partnership

Published: 22 November, 2023

Progressive new South African wine brand Amandla is launching in the UK on-trade market this month via a new partnership with leading drinks distributor Matthew Clark.

Five minutes with Marcelo Papa, Concha y Toro

Published: 01 August, 2023

Marcelo Papa, technical director at Concha y Toro, is in the UK to bring some new wines to market, including a lighter-alcohol label. James Bayley gets the lowdown.

Soapbox: Cape expectations

Published: 13 July, 2023

Without greater financial sustainability for Cape growers, an increasing number of South Africa’s premium vineyards are under threat. DGB marketing director Andrew Harris explains the problem.

Kanonkop marks 50th with salvo of older vintages in London

Published: 11 May, 2023

Kanonkop Wine Estate celebrated its half century yesterday (11 May) with a masterclass looking back at notable older vintages of Estate Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon, stretching back several decades.

Headline heroes: Franco Bastías, Domaine Bousquet

Published: 30 March, 2023

Harpers speaks to Franco Bastías, head of agronomy & sustainability, Domaine Bousquet.

Boutinot heads ‘home’ to New Zealand with Heaphy acquisition

Published: 17 February, 2023

Boutinot Wines, the international producer and distributor based in Manchester, has finalised the purchase of its first-ever wholly-owned vineyard site and estate in New Zealand, Harpers can reveal.

Losh and Goode blend Chenin from SA and Loire

Published: 11 December, 2022

Few would deny that Chenin Blanc is one of the world’s greats when it comes to grape varieties, but most would recognise that it sits far behind the likes of Chardonnay and Sauvignon in terms of recognition. Chenin is, of course, the de facto flagship grape of South Africa, also playing a strong role in the Loire. Here, in appellations such as Vouvray, Saumur, Angou, Savennieres, and others besides, the best – as with their Cape cousins – are world class, capable of developing great complexity while ageing for a very long time.

Black-owned, all female SA wine brand to support next generation

Published: 14 September, 2022

Amandla by Her Wine Collection is a new “progressive” brand launching out of the Western Cape, landing with the UK off-trade this autumn.

WoodWinters takes the path less travelled for portfolio refresh

Published: 23 August, 2022

‘Wines and whiskies’ supplier WoodWinters has taken on six new producers as part of a push to broaden its focus on indigenous varietals, Harpers can reveal.

SA wine grape harvest passes halfway mark; promising wines underway

Published: 29 March, 2022

After a slow start, harvest is well underway as more than half of South Africa’s 2022 wine grape crop has already been taken in at cellars. The crop is still estimated to be smaller than in 2021 but larger than the five-year average.

Chris Frederick and Damola Timeyin, Spearhead Spirits

Published: 29 March, 2022

Having launched their all-African Bayab gin range and Vusa vodka – and with more to come – Spearhead Spirits founders and friends Chris Frederick and Damola Timeyin talk Andrew Catchpole through their mission to put African spirits at the top table