News
South Africa
‘The Promise of South Africa’ featuring Thorne & Daughters
For Wine Spectator, Alison Napjus underscores the promise of South African wine. “It remains puzzling that South African wine has been slow to gain momentum and recognition in the United States. By any measure, Cape vintners are turning out both reds and whites that should entice any wine fan,” she writes. After tasting over 200 […]
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South Africa
‘Malu Lambert: South Africa’s black-owned wine labels on the rise’
For South Africa’s WineMag, wine writer Malu Lambert follows the rise of Banele Vakele, the winemaker for Tembela, and comments on the uptick in the country’s black-owned wine projects. Lambert reached out to our very own Aaron Meeker for comment. “Inclusiveness of producers and diversity of wines has done more for the perception – and […]
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Podcast
South Africa
Episode 24 – Franco Lourens (Part 2)
This episode is part 2 of our conversation with Franco Lourens of Lourens Family Wines based in Paarl, South Africa. Go back and check out part 1 if you haven’t already, as this episode is a continuation of our conversation. In this episode, we talk about how Franco launched his own project, as well as the stories […]
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Podcast
South Africa
Episode 23 – Franco Lourens (Part 1)
This episode is an interview with Franco Lourens of Lourens Family Wines based in Paarl, South Africa. The word ‘family’ is found in the name of many wine projects, but few actually put their family at the center of their branding. Franco’s wines are not only named after members of his family, but their faces also adorn […]
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South Africa
The Rebrand of South African Wine: The Story of the Polkadraai Hills
We recently wrote an article for Swurl about how the Polkadraai Hills are helping to rebrand South African wine. “First came the Swartland, with its great wine revolution, and today, we’re seeing exciting changes in Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s oldest and most traditional wine regions. How the industry got there is a nuanced tale […]
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South Africa
Jancis Robinson: “Lelie van Saron, and Natasha Williams, are definitely names worth watching.”
Jancis Robinson has long been a supporter of South African wine. Recently, she wrote about the story of Natasha Williams from Lelie van Saron, covering her past, her wines (with very high scores to boot), and some exciting things to come in her future. Read more here.
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South Africa
‘The 30 Best Chardonnays for 2023’
VinePair recently listed Boschkloof’s Chardonnay as one of its favorite 30 Chardonnays for 2023. “A lot of stainless steel and a little bit of oak was the approach to this bright and lively wine with soft edges,” the review reads. “This is a no-brainer on the casual wine front.” Read more here.
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South Africa
’10 examples of SA Sauvignon Blanc you have to try’
Christian Eedes, esteemed South African wine writer, highlights ten examples of South African Sauvignon Blanc that impress, including Trizanne Signature Wines ‘Sondagskloof’ White and Thorne & Daughters ‘Snakes & Ladders.’ “Trizanne Barnard, usually quite orthodox in her approach to winemaking, lets it all hang out with this wine,” writes Eedes. Of John Seccombe’s ‘Snakes & […]
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South Africa
“Once a Blending Grape, Cinsault Has Found Varietal Fame in the Southern Hemisphere”
Hannah Staab features Craven and Van Loggerenberg Wines in her article on the workhorse grape, Cinsault. She writes, “Cinsault’s bad reputation could have been a blessing in disguise, as the once-abandoned vineyards in South Africa and Chile are now a bounty of coveted old vines. Producers like Lukas Van Loggerenberg of Van Loggerenberg Wines aim to […]
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