South Africa

The Wines and Story of the Lily of Saron: Natasha Williams of Lelie van Saron

Tim James of WineMag profiles the inspiring and beautiful story of Natasha’s rise from growing up in a small town in the Swartland without any exposure to alcohol, least of all wine, to becoming the lead winemaker for Bosman Family Vineyards and establishing her own brand.  Tim quotes British biologist Richard Dawkins’s autobiography An Appetite […]
Read More

South Africa

Palomino: More Than Just a Neutral Variety

Dr. Jamie Goode and Lisse Garnett of Wineanorak went deep into the history and intricacies of Palomino and offered up a very compelling argument for why this overlooked and misunderstood variety should be consumed more often, especially in a non-fortified/oxidized form. In particular, Blackwater’s ‘Pleasure Garden’ was singled out for the commitment to protecting old […]
Read More

Australia

Belgian Sommelier Turned Winemaker Nominated for Young Gun of Wine

Koen Janssens took the path less travelled for many European sommeliers seeing his journey go from Belgium to France to Australia.  After settling into the natural wine world of Australia he found his own path and now being recognized for his commitment to fresh, fun wines that reflect the more serious northern European personality still […]
Read More

Australia

Sommelier Turned Sommelier/Winemaker: Young Gun Louis Schofield of Worlds Apart

Louis took the road of many before…left the floor for another career in wine, winemaking in this case.  Unlike many of those that went on this path, Louis never left the floor and in fact devotes a great deal of time to his wine bar, Hellbound in Adelaide.  He remains the assistant winemaker at Ochota […]
Read More

Australia

The Unlikely Duo: Somos Wines

Ben Caldwell and Mauricio Ruiz Cantú are the brains, faces, brawn, and creativity behind one of Australia’s most successful next-gen wine brands of the past decade.  Somos Wines pushes boundaries with the duo’s love of Mediterranean varieties, namely Italian grapes.  The colorful packaging is inspired by Aboriginal and Mexican art, both referencing the history of […]
Read More

South Africa

Wine Press

South Africa with a Cedilha: Thistle & Weed’s Portuguese Nuance

While not the entirety of the focus of Stephanie Wiid and Etienne Terblanche’s joint venture better known as Thistle & Weed, Portuguese and Iberian grapes as a whole are becoming more important to them.  The idea of sustainability is more than the farming and winemaking practices, as making the correct decisions on grape varieties will often […]
Read More

South Africa

Trailblazing Natasha Williams of Lelie Van Saron

Malu Lambert sat down with Natasha and was able to get the soft-spoken ‘Lily of Saron’ to open up on her past, present and very bright future.  While not overseeing winemaking for two estates for one of the most respected large growers in South Africa (Bosman Family Vineyards), Natasha produces some really stunning wine under […]
Read More

England

Digby: Five world class English wines to try this summer

National Geographic’s London-based editor Fiona Beckett has tasted a large array of English fizz and has named her five favorites for this summer.  Digby Fine English’s ‘Leander Pink’ is joined by great company and ‘Leander’ is truly one of the most exquisite rosé sparklers in the country. Read more here.
Read More

Australia

Triple Crown Nominated Michael Dhillon of Bindi

The Halliday Wine Companion Awards are one of Australia’s most lauded recognitions for vinous excellence.  This year, Michael Dhillon owner/winemaker/caretaker of Bindi Wines in the Macedon Ranges was the only finalist in three distinct categories:  Viticulturist of the Year, Winemaker of the Year and Winery of the Year.
Read More