Banele Vakele of Tembela Wines is the newest South African producer to join the Vine Street Imports portfolio. He makes a Chenin Blanc and a Syrah, sourced from regions you wouldn’t necessarily expect (Durbanville for the Chenin, an area better known for Sauvignon Blanc, and a nice yin-yang mix for the Syrah from Constantia and the Swartland). In the words of wine critic Tim Atkin, “Banele Vakele is an exciting young winemaker who is rapidly making a name for himself.”

Trizanne Barnard from Trizanne Signature Wines is a force of nature. She's an avid surfer, rock climber, and acclaimed South African winemaker. In her earlier years, she worked as the assistant winemaker for Klein Constantia, and then she helped...

Today’s inaugural episode is with Mick Craven of Craven Wines based in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Craven Wines is known for their single-vineyard bottlings, and their infamous skin-contact Pinot Gris. In this episode, you’ll hear how Mick got into wine, why he’s doesn’t like the idea of typicity, and why his winery neighbors have learned to come check in on him when he blasts Radiohead.

Lettie Teague went out in search of wines with silly names that still deliver in terms of quality. She wanted real wines made by real winemakers with a sense of humor, not a mass-market brand with a clever marketing team. Our own Lukas van Loggerenberg made the short list with his 2020 Trust Your Gut […]

Jancis Robinson ponders the question of why more Americans don’t drink more South African wine. “I’m such a fan of South African wine, I’d like everyone to appreciate it as much as me. And producers and growers there really do need every bit of financial encouragement to keep vines, many of them venerable, in the […]

​​​​​​​​We’ve got two very special trade tastings coming up in New York City (5.31.22 at Terroir) and Houston (6.8.22 at CDV713) featuring a slew of our South African producers who are leading the charge of honest and exciting winemaking in their home country. In attendance, pouring their wines will be the esteemed: ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Francois […]

Change is inevitable and when it is positive and works out better for everyone, it is a great thing and something to be admired and replicated.  Many winemakers in South Africa are taking this approach with agriculturally and culturally sustainable viticulture and winemaking.  It is understated the importance of paying those farmers that take care […]

Schist is just one of many fabulous soils provide grapevines just enough nutrients to stay alive but also an environment that lends a bit of a struggle as well.  Wine Enthusiast recently highlighted the facets that make schist so unique.  While they didn’t mention South Africa (not going to say lazy journalism 😊), they should […]

Non-alc and low-alc spirits and wines have seen a dramatic uptick in awareness and sales over the past few years.  We ventured into this realm in 2021 after being exposed to an excellent South African product called Abstinence Spirits.  The innovation and quality of Abstinence’s products is second-to-none and would advise anyone thinking these are […]