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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Podcast

South Africa

Episode 20 – Jolandie Fouché Part 2 (Wolf & Woman)

This episode is the second half of our conversation with Jolandie Fouché of Wolf & Woman Wines. If you haven’t listened to part 1, I would encourage you to go back and do so before listening to this one. In this episode, we talk about Jolandie’s wines and her experiences in the South African wine industry. […]
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Podcast

South Africa

Episode 19 – Jolandie Fouché Part 1 (Wolf & Woman)

Today’s episode is with Jolandie Fouché of Wolf and Woman Wines based in Swartland, South Africa. These wines, which we imported for the first time last year, were an instant success. They’re absolutely phenomenal varietal wines, and the range includes Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Rose, Pinotage, and Syrah. After more than a decade of earning […]
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Podcast

South Africa

Episode 17 – Lukas van Loggerenberg (Van Loggerenberg Wines)

Episode 17 is with Lukas van Loggerneberg of Van Loggerenberg Wines based in Paarl, South Africa. Lukas is a gentle giant. He’s a quiet, modest man who makes some of the country’s best wines. That’s by no means a stretch of the imagination, as he is a Tim Atkin first growth producer, a title reserved for the […]
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