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 her stripes in the South African wine industry, Jolandie decided to turn her attention to her passion project, Wolf & Woman Wines, fulltime. Shortly after releasing her maiden vintage in 2018, Jolandie’s Chenin Blanc won the Tim Atkin White Wine Discovery of the Year award, and her 2019 Chenin was awarded as a Chenin Champion by Jancis Robinson in the Financial Times alongside some of the well established names like the Sadie Family, Chris Alheit, the Mullineuxs.
Jolandie’s wines, as their name implies, are wild. I think they’re some of the most energetic wines in our book, and just like a dog that ressembles its owner, I think that energy is a reflection of Jolandie. She’s without a doubt one of the most exciting new wave producers to watch from South Africa.
Her interview is split up into two parts. Part 1 focuses on her background, and part 2 focuses on the wines and her experiences in the South African wine industry. I really, really encourage you to listen to both.
In this episode, you’ll hear how Jolandie went from being the head winemaker at Kloovenberg to taking her side hustle full-time. Keep in mind that this was during the middle of the pandemic, when South Africa was going through alcohol sales, bans and lockdowns, and on top of that, Jolandie had just had her first child. Keep listening to find out how she channeled her inner wolf to keep going…
Hosted by Charlotte Alsaadi.
Special thanks to SNACKTIME for the music!