News
South Africa
Next-Gen South Africa
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 […]
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South Africa
Full of Schist
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 […]
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South Africa
The New Mocktail
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 […]
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South Africa
Mick Craven talks Armrest Etiquette, Pinot Gris, and More
Mick Craven, the larger (but not better) half of Craven Wines sat down with Cape Town’s New Agency founder and creative director James Bisset for a little chat about all things non-wine related. Click here to laugh for nine minutes and learn a bit more about Mick.
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South Africa
Wine Press
Chardonnay Report: Discovery of the Year – Lelie Van Saron
It is probably a bit late in the game to call Natasha Williams’ brand Lelie Van Saron a ‘discovery’ at this stage in the game (and Christian Eedes addresses that at the bottom in the comments), but for many Lelie Van Saron is still an unknown. Congratulations to Natasha and the present and future are incredibly […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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