News
South Africa
Stephanie Wiid of Thistle & Weed on the use of “climate smart cultivars” in South Africa
For Wine Enthusiast, Kathleen Willcox reports on the proliferation of Portuguese varieties around the world as growers adapt to climate change. Stephanie Wiid, South African winemaker and co-founder of Thistle & Weed, calls these varieties “climate smart cultivars” thanks to their ability to “coax bright flavors out of grapes grown in punishing heat,” as Willcox […]
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Australia
South Africa
“Syrah & Shiraz: 25 of the best from the southern hemisphere”
For Decanter, Amanda Barnes profiles some of the best, regionally-distinct wines from Australia and South Africa. “Australia certainly still champions rich ‘Shiraz’ styles today…,” writes Barnes. “What I find more exciting, however, is the drive in Australia’s diverse wine regions towards more regional distinction and some cooler-climate expressions.” Among the wines profiled are Koomilya ‘DC […]
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South Africa
‘South Africa: Where Are We Now?’
SOUTH AFRICA IS… NOT WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS Where Are We Now? “So, where is the wine industry in 2024?” “It stands at a crossroads. South Africa found its own voice thanks to the Swartland Revolution and ‘new wave’ producers… while some wine regions covet exclusivity and luxury branding, South Africa represents something inclusive, […]
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South Africa
Stephanie Wiid named Tim Atkin MW 2024 Young Winemaker of the Year
In his 2024 Special Report, Master of Wine Tim Atkin named Thistle & Weed and Lovely Creatures winemaker Stephanie Wiid the Young Winemaker of the Year. Stephanie is the third female winemaker in a row and fourth overall Vine Street producer to win this prestigious award since its creation in 2015. This award puts her […]
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South Africa
‘A Guide to the Swartland, South Africa’s Most Underrated Wine Region’
For Condé Nast Traveler, Lane Nieset shares a food & wine lover’s guide to the Swartland, this “lesser-known wine community” producing “some of the country’s most sought-after bottles.” Nieset names Izak Mouton of Sakkie Mouton Family Wines, Jurgen Gouws of Intellego, and Hanneke Kruger of Vino pH as a part of the “influx of young […]
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South Africa
The Polkadraai Hills ward of Stellenbosch is ‘starting to turn heads’
For Decanter, Tim Atkin, MW provides a regional profile of the Polkadraai Hills and highlights his top 10 wines. Among those named were Van Loggerenberg ‘Graft’ Syrah 2021 (97 points) Craven Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 (93 points). Plus, Atkin esteems that Boschkloof and Saga Vineyards winemaker Reenen Borman makes “one of the world’s greatest Syrah […]
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South Africa
Forbes highlights Sijnn’s ‘exceptional’ crop quality in their 2024 vintage
For Forbes, writer Jessica Dupuy covers South Africa and our producer, Sjnn, in the first part of her 5-part series about southern hemisphere grape harvests during the 2024 vintage. She writes that Sijnn’s program is “to produce a flagship red and white from any blend of these varieties that best expresses each vintage and the […]
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South Africa
NY Times: “For Thanksgiving, 20 Wines Under $20” – Storm Point wines featured for second time
For the second time, both Storm Point Chenin Blanc and Red Blend were featured on a NYT “20 under $20” list. The latest piece by Eric Asimov is a round up of excellent value wines for Thanksgiving. “Chenin blanc is one of my absolute favorite grapes, but it’s hard to find good examples this inexpensive,” […]
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South Africa
Copper Pot named a Wine Spectator Top 100 Wine of 2023
Copper Pot’s 2021 Pinot Noir was recently named among Wine Spectator’s 2023 Top 100 list, and it was (sadly) the ONLY South African wine to make the list. “[It’s] a ripe, juicy version, with fragrant details of woodsy spices, dried thyme and a streak of stony minerality echoing on the lasting finish,” writes Wine Spectator reviewer […]
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