First South African crop estimate indicates smaller 2023 harvest

South African viticulturists and producer cellars are predicting a smaller 2023 wine grape crop following a “healthy, yet dry season.”

Producer Q&A: Praisy Dlamini, Adama Wines

Following on from the Her Wine Collection range from all-female South African company Adama Wines, Praisy Dlamini, winemaker and general manager, Adama Wines, talks to Andrew Catchpole about her new Amandla brand, inspiring the next generation and the importance of mentors.

GCF announces new acquisition in South Africa

GCF (Grands Chais de France), owned and run by the Helfrich Family, continues to expand its international offering with the acquisition of the Neethlingshof winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

WoodWinters takes the path less travelled for portfolio refresh

‘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.

Never Mind the Bollocks

Creating a brand that upends the wine-centric view of the trade has been tried many times, but a new collaboration between experienced buyer Andrew Ingham and Cape winery Journey’s End may just have what it takes to bridge the gap with wine-interest-lite consumers. And, if it does gain traction, there may well be salient lessons to learn for the wider trade at a time when interest in wine – especially among younger consumers – has stalled.

Results of SA Wine Awards announced

The inaugural SA Wine Awards London 2022 results have been announced, with fourteen Double Gold medals awarded to a range of outstanding wines and an additional 34 Gold medal winners. 

Justerini & Brooks in South African Expansion

Spier Wine Farm joins the Freixenet Copestick Portfolio

One of South Africa’s oldest and most awarded wineries, Spier Wine Farm, is joining the Freixenet Copestick growing portfolio from July 2022. One of the biggest South African brands to join them, their highly-acclaimed wines will be distributed across the Freixenet Copestick group of companies, including through Jascots and Slurp. 

French give green light for global Chenin conference in South Africa

Stellenbosch has been selected as the global meeting point this November for a prestigious, multi-disciplinary congress on Chenin Blanc, a grape variety regarded as key to the future of wine growing. 

South Africa’s 2022 will still pack a punch despite smaller grape crop

The annual South African Wine Harvest Report suggests that the 2022 vintage “will wow consumers with exceptional quality wines," albeit from a smaller grape crop than in 2021. 

Vergelegen Estate appoints winemaker Luke O'Cuinneagain

Vergelegen wine estate, one of South Africa’s premier wine producers, has announced the appointment of its new winemaker.

First ever NFTs of South Africa’s finest wines sold for £175k at auction

A collection of five of South Africa’s finest and most historic wines have been sold as NFTs, marking a first for the South African fine wine industry.

Strauss & Co launches Africa’s first NFT auction with SA’s leading fine wine producers

South African auction house Strauss & Co has partnered with five of SA's most respected fine wine producers to offer Africa’s first fine wine Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) on auction from 18-15 April. 

SA wine grape harvest passes halfway mark; promising wines underway

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.

Van Wyk Family Wines joins the Bancroft Portfolio

The UK based importer, Bancroft Wines, has added the Van Wyk Family Vineyards to its South African portfolio.

Bibendum expands portfolio with 'inspirational' South African wine brand

South African wine brand, Kumusha Wines, has appointed Bibendum as its exclusive distributor in the UK.

South Africa anticipates reduced grape harvest in 2022

As vintage 2022 approches, South Africa's winegrowers are expecting a relatively small crop overall, when compared to last year.

South Africa's wine industry “must adapt to survive”

Wine oversight body Vinpro has urged South Africa’s winegrowers to use the pandemic crisis as an opportunity “to revive, recover and rebuild,” adapting current business models to better cope with a rapidly changing world.

South African packaged wine exports to UK rise 25%

In a massive boon for South Africa's quality-led growers, total exports of South African wine to the UK rose 20% by value and 12% in volume in 2021 according to the latest figures released by industry body SAWIS.

South Africa trade slams new travel ban

The international communities’ decision to prohibit travel to South Africa will have “significant implications” for the nation's struggling wine and tourism industries, according to oversight body VinPro.