South Africa - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Distell to launch fine wine division

Published: 14 November, 2018

African wine, spirits and cider giant Distell is set to launch a new premium wine division with Nederburg as its flagship, Harpers can reveal.

Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective launch lays down gauntlet to UK and US buyers

Published: 13 September, 2018

Be prepared to pay more or risk losing top Stellenbosch Cabernets to the Asian market was one of the messages to UK and US buyers at the launch of the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective at Cape Wine 2018.

Cape Wine 2018 calls to address challenge of profitability with investment in training and people

Published: 12 September, 2018

Sustainability in both economic and human terms was outlined as the key challenge facing Cape winemakers at the opening conference of Cape Wine 2018.

Repositioning South Africa

Published: 28 August, 2018

Celebrated by critics but crippled by drought and low returns, South Africa rarely has an easy ride.

Few in the trade could have missed the ongoing challenges facing South Africa’s wine producers as the worst drought in 100 years continues to afflict the Cape. With the 2018 crop predicted to be down by 15% after two years of water shortage that almost saw Cape Town meet “day zero” and turn off its domestic supply, the harvest has been described by Bibendum’s South Africa buyer, Paul Meihuizen, as “the most challenging I have ever known”.

Red Squirrel hits the road for portfolio tasting

Published: 15 August, 2018

Red Squirrel is heading out of London for its annual tasting for the first time, with plans to bring its focus on small artisanal producers to Bristol and Manchester.

Accolade turns spotlight on Kumala with biggest investment in 10 years

Published: 13 August, 2018

Accolade Wines has turned the spotlight on its South African Kumala wine brand with a £1 million campaign.

South Africa 2018 harvest “most challenging” in living memory

Published: 31 July, 2018

Serious drought in the Western Cape affected both natural supplies of water and government allocations ahead of this year’s harvest.

Laarman grows portfolio with new premium collection

Published: 22 May, 2018

Laarman Wines has unveiled the maiden vintage of its premium Focal Point collection.

VinPro reports 15% smaller harvest

Published: 09 May, 2018

VinPro has reported a 15% smaller harvest (1 220 920 tonnes) across South Africa compared to 2017 – one of the smallest crops in more than a decade.

Distell sells Uitkyk to Warwick Wine Estate

Published: 08 May, 2018

Distell has sold its Uitkyk wine farm to Warwick Wine Estate for an undisclosed sum.

Distell defies challenging season with promising harvest

Published: 02 May, 2018

Distell has reported a ‘promising quality’ harvest despite experiencing one of the most challenging seasons in recent years.

Members of South Africa’s Old Vine Project now able to put heritage seal on bottles

Published: 23 April, 2018

Members of South Africa’s Old Vine Project (OVP) have been given the clear to put a Certified Heritage Vineyards (CHV) seal on wine bottles made from vineyards that are 35 years old (or older).

CapeWine 2018 reveals sustainable focus

Published: 21 March, 2018

CapeWine, South Africa’s seminal international wine tasting has announced its first speakers along with a focus on susutainable farming.

Solid wine growth at Distell backed by R22 million investment to mitigate effects of drought

Published: 23 February, 2018

Distell Group’s results for the six months to 31 December 2018 report revenue up 9.3% on increased volumes of 3.7%, up to R13.4 billion (£828 million).

All dry on the Western Cape

Published: 16 February, 2018

As Cape Town’s water crisis approaches Day Zero rationing, James Lawrence assesses the impact of the drought on the wine industry

Justerini & Brooks takes on distribution of Swartland producer David & Nadia

Published: 06 February, 2018

Justerini & Brooks has signed a deal as UK distributor for Swartland producer David & Nadia.

Hamilton Russell to launch Ashbourne Pinotage/Cinsault in the UK

Published: 25 January, 2018

Iconic South African producer Hamilton Russell Vineyards has unveiled plans to launch a new Ashbourne Pinotage/Cinsault blend into the UK market next year.

Albariño to become important white variety in the Western Cape

Published: 22 January, 2018

Albariño is poised to become an important white variety in the Western Cape, according to leading viticulturist Dean Leppan

Boutinot maps South Africa with three-tiers regional range

Published: 12 December, 2017

Boutinot has expanded its South African portfolio with a three-tiers range created to chart the story of the Cape’s regional diversity and simplify it for consumers.