What we care about
Making a difference in South Africa is a great passion of ours
It is really easy to tell and share all the good news stories from the winelands, through our #wineforgood initiative which we started in 2016.
There are many organisations making a significant difference in the lives of challenged South Africans and we are very proud to support them:
The Pebbles Project
Founded by the very passionate and energetic Sophia Warner in 2005, the organisation makes a significantly positive impact on children in the winelands, through their various educational, health and support programmes, from pregnancy through to adulthood.
Pinotage Youth Development Academy (PYDA)
Founded in 2012, the PYDA offers youths with historically disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to develop their talents in wine. They offer a 9-month Wine course.
We have hosted 5 graduates for a 12-month internship program since 2018 and proud to see these young professionals showing off their talents at top wineries.
We are proud
Media Partners to:
Chenin Noir SA
Chenin Noir South Africa is the official education partner to The Court of Master Sommeliers Europe. The partnership with Chenin Noir South Africa and The Court of Master Sommeliers aims to increase the participation and written exams of some of Africa’s top achieving Sommeliers.
The Wine Tourism Conference
This annual conference aims fosters collaboration, innovation, efficiency and growth in the wine tourism sector. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities, attendees explore the latest trends, strategies, and best practices in wine tourism.
The Institute of Cape Wine Masters
The purpose of the ICWM is to harness the collective ability of its members to open the world of wine and brandy to others, through their knowledge, deep understanding, and love for wine (and food).
Sommelier Association of South Africa (SASA)
SASA is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving both local and international sommeliers. Acting as a networking and contact hub for these professionals worldwide. Striving to provide training and mentorship.
South African Wine Tasting Championships (SAWTC)
Founded by the energetic sommelier Jean Vincent Ridon in 2013, this initiative tests South Africa’s best wine tasters. The top tasters (TeamSA) join Ridon on an educational tour of Europe’s top wineries and compete in the World Blind Wine Tasting Championship.
Wine education
We are delighted to partner with and support many organizations and initiatives which provide good wine & hospitality training and education.
Watch some of the videos we have facilitated over the years.
The Vino Noir brothers on South African Wine
Vino Noir brothers Qhama and Thulani Xhali worked with us to create videos around the 6 major varieties in South Africa.
Nose Your Wine | Educational Video Series
We have generated much video content around wine, and with Xolani Mancotywa (Best Young Sommelier 2013), we created a set of simple education videos for the wine waiter.
Extreme Wine Pairing | Video Series
We know that our wine waiters/stewards/wine service professionals/sommeliers are so often gatekeepers to the wine world, and often the first point of entry into wine for the consumer at a restaurant.