Rosé on the rise
Today is International Rosé Day and while we might have thought the craze for pink was over, it seems that to drink pink is all but a phase...Read More
Testing Theory
We all have theories and ideas and we like to share them, but there is no time like a crisis to test them! My late father in law's theory wa...Read More
Finding a new way for food
Invention in a time of Crisis - the topic of my blog on 20 March. Corona was here, we already saw the impact on the tourism industry and I p...Read More
The Sense of Smelling
Wine is all about smell and taste. Wine professionals are always sniffing and sampling and perhaps that might also be the reason why they ar...Read More
“Let’s all suffer a little”
“Let’s all suffer a little, so no one has to suffer a great deal.” What a profound quote. These few simple words give such perspective...Read More
What Waits for Wine?
It's impossible not to speculate about what would be waiting post-lockdown, post-Corona. Intelligent lockdown, social distancing, voluntary ...Read More
Perfect Time, Perfect Place
For the time being, our homes seem to be the perfect place if we want to stay safe, but this time of isolation means different things to dif...Read More
In the Eye of the Beholder
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it is crucial to have a broader perspective. Even when something is not your taste or culture, you...Read More
Sustainability – not as clear as glass
Sustainability is a term that we use every day, but it is because it is so very relevant. For me, sustainability is an overarching term and ...Read More
Lessons for Corona
Nowadays all conversations lead to Corona. If you're not in immediate danger of contracting the virus, you worry about how it will affect yo...Read More
The Blessing of the Harvest
January 2020 was a challenging month. This seems to be the sentiment everywhere I go. There's no escaping the economic, social and climatic ...Read More
Don’t drop the ball!
On 2 February 1990, South African State President FW de Klerk surprised most of his parliament, the banned ANC, the SA public and world medi...Read More
A rollercoaster ride for SA wine in 2020 – insights from #VinproDay
At the annual wine industry Nedbank Vinpro Information Day we were in for a serious reality check, allowed time to get our hopes up, plumbin...Read More
Trends for 2020
It is the time of the year for trend watching. Here are the trends for 2020 that I found most interesting.1. Green - from eco-st...Read More
Come to Cape Town, non-stop!
It would not be stretching to call Cape Town the jewel in the South African tourism crown, but recently no one could blame tourists for reco...Read More
At the top, or not?
Making way for new generations to perform and be recognised is a sincere and positive sentiment, but the issue can be more complex. What do...Read More
Sometimes all it takes is time
"It’s pretty obvious what Franschhoek needs most is time", says wine writer Christian Eedes in a recent profile about our valley. This is ...Read More
All Things to All People
"You can't be all things to all people" is a phrase often used in business and private life. It's a phrase that is not often disputed. We kn...Read More
Older and Wiser
This week I celebrated my birthday and I am blessed to say that I feel even fitter and healthier than a few years ago. Attempting a health...Read More
What can algorithms do for wine?
The saying goes "Ask no questions, hear no lies", but in today's world of big data, we might be answering questions without realising that t...Read More
“Less stuff, more stories”
"Less stuff and more stories" is quite an interesting trend, but is it a red flag or an opportunity for business? I followed the recent Wine...Read More
Croatia: Familiarity meets Discovery
The 2006 Bond Movie, Casino Royale, played off in Montenegro and introduced many of us to the spectacular landscapes of the Adriatic. But mu...Read More
A Taste for Tourism
Both Heritage and Tourism are celebrated in South Africa during September and perhaps it is a good time to consider what role heritage can p...Read More
For the love of food
They say fine-dining is on its way out. Why would that be? We surely have a better culinary awareness these days with wider ingredient varie...Read More
Taboo or To-Do?
Tattoos, high fat diets, fasting... many things that were once totally taboo are now part of our everyday lives and not even an eyebrow rais...Read More
Room for Research
I join the SA wine industry in mourning the passing of the much-loved and respected viticulturist, Professor Eben Archer. I believe his root...Read More
We are aware, but do we care?
We all seem to be more aware. More than just an interest in global affairs or being nosy about the neighbours, we have access to and are con...Read More
Site Specific – taste or talk
This week we are celebrating Syrah as part of Shiraz South Africa's Seven Days of Shiraz. Tasting our own wines from a number of vintages, I...Read More
Change is for the Brave
They say change is as good as a holiday. They also say not to change a winning recipe. What do they mean? Are we to wait with change until t...Read More
Reconsidering British Food
English food culture, with the possible exception of high tea, does not have the same romantic ring to it as Italian, Japanese or Middle Eas...Read More
A chance to ‘fish’
There is some kind of pride in making your mark on election day. It is as if your contribution can really make a difference. And while colle...Read More
Just a friend you do not know
Except for those who are really adventurous, many of us have some kind of fear for the unknown. And when the unknown comes across as exclusi...Read More
Cultural tolerance – lessons from food & wine
A visit to Malaysia really entices your senses and in some way, I think it is similar to what foreign tourists experience when coming to Sou...Read More
Being memorable – a brand dilemma
If you are in the business of producing or selling a value-adding product, the brand is a most important thing. We all try to take the c...Read More
Pairing Pork
Indulging in exceptional pork dishes when visiting the Prowein show in Germany has become somewhat of a tradition. While they are usually se...Read More
SA wine over time
One can't help to feel slightly intimidated by the enormity of the global wine offering when walking through hall after hall of wine at the...Read More
For the sake of wine
Nowadays, in wine marketing to the consumer, we often include experience in the conversation and focus much less on product. Experience is t...Read More
In the Slipstream of the Strong Brand
Brand owners often see strong brands in their category as the unobtainable goal and unbeatable competition, but the small brand can not only...Read More
Trading Up
As long as I can remember, trading up has been the number one challenge for South African wine. More than green pepper Sauvignon Blanc and b...Read More
2019 Harvest Insights
"Still small and uneven" is what you will pick up from winemaker conversations. As the pressing season is coming into full swing across the ...Read More
Story vs Price – that’s a story!
"Do you compete on price or do you have a story to tell?" This question by Vinpro's Christo Conradie at the annual Industry Information day,...Read More
The Restaurant in 2019
In a competitive and pressured environment, restaurants today are about more than the food and drink they serve. To be successful in 2019, a...Read More
Classics vs Crazes – Culinary Predictions for 2019
While there is no denying the quality and enjoyment one gets from the classics, any industry needs some excitement and innovation. Regardles...Read More
Trade & Travel
Whether it really saves you money is debatable, but there is something very alluring about duty free shopp...Read More
The Existential Angst of the Wine Brand
The dream is to have a brand. Everyone who is trying to sell a product dreams of the day when that product name becomes something recognisab...Read More
Protecting your brand
There might be something flattering about having your brand copied, but other than stealing from your sales volumes, counterfeits take your ...Read More
The Beauty of Balance
Hannuwa is the theme of Cape Wine 2018. This San word implies a life of harmony and plenty, or success in sustaining life. But what does thi...Read More
Social commentary from the British Pubs
Pubs in the UK are closing down at a rate of 18 per week. They have been doing so for a while and the rate is increasing. Are the reasons p...Read More
Women – making a difference in the world of wine
"To treat them equally, you have to treat them differently". Someone said this to me a long time ago, but it stays an important perspective ...Read More
Consolidation and Competition
“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner”, a famous quote by Nelson Ma...Read More
Entertain, but above all, educate
Experience marketing brings the opportunity of turning consumers into ambassadors. Wine Tourism is doing an exceptional job for the wine ind...Read More
Winter cold – what the vine wants
After three dry seasons, the 2018 Winelands winter is a delight. The vital rain has come and with it, the much-needed cold conditions. But w...Read More
Diversity – a challenge with charisma
Diversity is one of the key descriptors when it comes to South Africa - for its people, landscape, culture and wine! As challenging as it ...Read More
Employment vs Technology
JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! tweets Wandile Sihlobo on opportunities within South African agriculture. On the other side of the world in China, Alib...Read More
Mallorca – more than Spanish wine and Sobrasada
There is nothing that inspires a winemaker like the sight of vineyards in beautiful terroir. On a cycling tour with some friends on the isl...Read More
Where is more than there
Wine can be enjoyed in some unusual places! There is Subsix, a bar 19 feet below the surface of the Indian Ocean in the Maldives. The wine l...Read More
Three A’s of Brand Success in China
Social platforms have become our new sitting rooms. The online environment is not only where we work and shop, but also where we socialise. ...Read More
Lessons from the Michelin ratings
Being awarded a Michelin star is something restaurant dreams are made of. But as we know from wine industry accolades, the food an...Read More
The Golden Age of Old Vines
Meeting up with an acquaintance in Germany recently, I was hosted to a tasting of wines made from 50 to 150 year-old vineyards. Suddenly it ...Read More
Embracing Riesling
Riesling. Are you thinking German, perfume on the nose, sweet palate, tall brown bottle, busy label? Then it is time to wake up to a whole ...Read More
Culinary tourism – alive and well in Brussels!
European food traditions are well-known: French cuisine, the food lifestyle that is Italy, the world-renowned chefs of San Sebastián, herit...Read More
Confidence – economic stimulus and likely liberator of SA wine
Confidence was a recurring concept at the Vinpro wine industry information day. Then followed a confidence-boosting week with decisive actio...Read More
Making wine work – industry & harvest insights from #VinproDay
Despite focussing on the drought, global short supply, the challenge of pricing and branding as well as political and policy uncertainty, I ...Read More
Palates under Pressure
The challenges and controversies of wine tasting have to do with wine’s intrinsic qualities and unique characteristics, varying tasting co...Read More
Flora in Wine
Spring is a special season. Even for those who love the romance of winter, spring brings the promise of new life and new beginnings. In the ...Read More
E-commerce & Entrepreneurs – not even the sky is the limit
In my last few blogs I have focused a lot on the new business landscape - how technology and trends have changed the way we sell, market, di...Read More
Experience – the 5th P of Marketing
Marketing handbooks taught us about the 4 P's of marketing: Price, Product, Promotion, Place but in today's world it is missing one componen...Read More
A Cure for Corruption?
If there is one word that has become part of the everyday vocabulary in South Africa, it is corruption. No longer confined to courtroom arg...Read More
Introducing Wine – Intrigue but don’t Intimidate
This weekend, we celebrate the annual Franschhoek Bastille Festival. Always taking place on the weekend closest to 14 July (Bastille Day), t...Read More
A Proper Winter – The Wish of the Wine
In April this year, late frost caused damage to vineyards in some of France’s most famous winemaking regions, including Champagne, Bordeau...Read More
Time for Good News
No news is good news, the saying goes. And it seems that good news is no news. Especially when you look at the headlines in South African ne...Read More
Why Wine Entertainment
I am outspoken about the importance of wine tourism, but with the opening of a ‘Disney World for Wine‘ in China, I thought about the rea...Read More
Craft – Both The Allure and The Challenge
Would you risk running into your burning house to save your beer? Well, perhaps if you are seeing your latest attempt at a craft beer recipe...Read More
What #ZUMAMUSTFALL can Learn from the Soufflé!
Today in South Africa is all about the protests against the regime of Jacob Zuma. Although the marches will not result in the president’s ...Read More
The Flavour of Portugal
Portugal is quite a multi-faceted country and although facing challenges when it comes to its economy and employment, the diverse economy ha...Read More
Preparation – the Key to Wine Fair Success
From Sunday, everyone who is anyone in the wine industry will attend the annual international wine fair Prowein in Düsseldorf, Germany. I h...Read More
Education and Employment in the Winelands – Take That First Step!
Last night with President Zuma’s State of the Nation address, he mentioned that the economy is growing but not enough to create jobs (read...Read More
Not Just Another Wine Auction
There is quite a big difference between a Wine Auction and a Charity Wine Auction. The Wine Auction can be quite an intimidating place for t...Read More
2017 SA Harvest – Does Dry Mean Dreary?
The 2017 wine grape harvest has kicked off and with drought conditions in the Winelands and extreme veld fires across the Cape province, one...Read More
Gen Z – A New Generation in the SA Wine Industry
“I believe in innovation and that the way you get innovation is you fund research and you learn the basic facts.” – Bill Gates (read m...Read More
Water-Wise Wine Production
The Cape Winelands are dry. While the rest of South Africa is receiving generous downpours, the Cape is hot, dry and very windy – and as a...Read More
What Wine Can do for Your Health
One of the trending topics in South Africa this week, is about a rural Pastor that uses Doom, a powerful insecticide, in his sermons to heal...Read More
Is it About the Glass or the Wine in the Glass?
On my way to China I read this piece on TheDrinksBusiness about a bridge being built in China’s Henan province. The central support of the...Read More
Wine and its Words
It has always been my goal to make wine less intimidating. That does not necessarily mean that all wines has to be easy-drinking and that yo...Read More
Bright Future for SA Wine With Thinking Industry!
Spring is such an amazing time of year but one often stands daunted by the end of the year rush and the associated chaos waiting around the ...Read More
Sugar, Sin Tax and Sweetness in Wine
Earlier this year, a 20% sin tax was announced for sugar-sweetened drinks in South Africa (read more). Only to commence in 2017, this tax is...Read More
Heritage Cuisine – What We Know and What We Can Discover
In Gauteng for business this week, I had the chance to visit the latest restaurant venture of acclaimed chef, David Higgs. Marble, the new r...Read More
Tasting Spring
Wine descriptions often refer to floral notes or a floral bouquet and with spring in the air and the beautiful blossoms and early blooms eve...Read More
Well-Aged SA Wine – Fact or Fable?
Every year we host an Evening of Vintage Wine and Venison at La Motte to celebrate seasonal cuisine and to have the opportunity to open a fe...Read More
The Food and Wine of Brazil – It is About More Than Caipirinha!
One of the things I enjoy most about travelling is the introduction to the food and wine culture of other countries. With the Olympic Games ...Read More
From Traditional Tastes to Shocking Substitutes
On Friday evenings I like to relax and have a quiet night with a few lamb chops on the braai. A very typical South African thing to do. Also...Read More
Russia – Rich With History, Heritage and Even Some Wine Culture
I have just returned from Europe and my first visit to St Petersburg. Experiencing the rich culture and history of Russia is always amazing ...Read More
Syrah/Shiraz – An International Expression of a Noble Grape
Recently at Vinexpo Hong Kong, we celebrated Syrah/Shiraz Day with a jam-packed programme of presentations and tastings.Decanter‘s Joh...Read More
Distrobution is King
Article by Lucille Botha, published in Landbouweekblad (South African agricultural magazine), 10 June 2016. (Translated to English from orig...Read More
Relating Regionality – Are We Asking Too Much of Consumers?
The world of wine is an interesting place. Just last week I shared some thoughts arising from a discussion at Vinexpo Hong Kong on how being...Read More
Hong Kong – Where All Things Wine are Happening
Next week we will be at the seventh Vinexpo Hong Kong, one of the most important trade-only wine and spirits fairs in Asia.I always look...Read More
The Quest for Luxury and the Celebration of Excellence
I was delighted this week when La Motte’s signature red wine, the 2011 Hanneli R was acknowledged as one of the Top 5 Luxury Red Wines in ...Read More
What Wind Does for Wine
Twitter is gusting about today’s strong winds in Cape Town!Captain Kai @KapteinKai 36m36 minutes ago Cape Town, South Africa The w...Read More
Working in Wine – Some Wishful Thinking for Worker’s Day
Most of us will be celebrating Worker’s Day (or May Day) on 1 May. Thinking about the privilege of working in the world of wine, I made a ...Read More
Marketing South African Sauvignon Blanc
The South African Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group invited me to their marketing seminar. Passionate about the complex intricacies of wine, ma...Read More
Culinary Tourism Reconsidered
Culinary Tourism was on the agenda when renowned international guests and important global role players met in Franschhoek last week as part...Read More
Tailoring the Online World of Wine
I am just back from what I consider to be the most important wine show on the international wine calendar, Prowein. Each year, I am again in...Read More
How Wine Can Influence Your Choice of Airline!
If you travel frequently and you like wine, like me, you will be anticipating the wine selection on your flight. Sometimes it is a delightfu...Read More
Wine on the Red Carpet
Recently I attended a glitzy event with a ‘dash of red’ theme and it felt a bit like being on the red carpet! Perhaps a bit out of my co...Read More
A Century in a Bottle
During harvest time we are constantly reminded about the wonderful potential of the grape, the importance of terroir, the skill of winemakin...Read More
From Michelin Stars to UNESCO Lists – Why Heritage Cuisine is So Important
I am so proud of the first South African to be awarded a Michelin star! Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen, a South African living in France, th...Read More
2016 Harvest Expectations and Outlook for the SA Wine Industry
Yesterday I attended the annual VinPro information day creating a platform to share wine industry information and expectations for the 2016 ...Read More
The Importance of Proper Wine Service
On Monday, 11 January, Gareth Ferreira was appointed as the Best Sommelier in South Africa for 2016. I am delighted that this essential wine...Read More
From Herbaceous to Quaffable – How We Are Scaring Away Potential Wine Drinkers
Making wine accessible is one of my passions. I understand that palates and preference differ and I do not imply that all reds should be sof...Read More
SA Sparkling Wine – From Science to Entertainment
“We are in the entertainment business”, said Mark Norrish of Ultra Liquors at the Cap Classique Conference in Franschhoek this week....Read More
Food, Wine and the Thin Line
Last weekend, I attended the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in London where we have been showing our latest vintages. As always, I find this a...Read More
Taking a Chance in China by William Pirie – Insights into Being A Success in the Chinese Wine Trade
In September I met William Pirie in Hong Kong for a South African wine tasting as well as dinner. He is a writer for Week in China and was w...Read More
Food, Wine and the Importance of Site
So, with the Springboks out of the running for Rugby World Champs, I am back in the country and although we are still competing for the 3rd ...Read More
London Food, Patriotic Sentiments and Exchange Rate Dilemmas
A delighted man after South Africa’s close victory over Wales in the Rugby World Cup quarter finals last Saturday, I stayed in London this...Read More
SA Wine: How to Become a Success Story
This morning, I talked to some of the young and aspirant winemakers in South Africa at a seminar aimed at young leaders in wine. Hosted by I...Read More
How to Define South African Wine
Spending a few days in the Kruger National Park, one cannot help but be impressed with the magnificence of the animals – the scarce sight ...Read More
The SA Wine Industry: All Grown-Up and Sophisticated
So, in last week’s blog, I questioned the format of wine fairs and whether they really meet the expectations of both attendees and exhibit...Read More
Wine Fairs: Expectations Vs Results
Next week, the South African wine industry is hosting the international wine trade consisting of wine buyers and media at Cape Wine 2015. ...Read More
The Importance and Controversies of Wine Ratings
“Wine ratings have always been controversial, regardless of whether it is done by an official tasting panel, wine competition judges or wi...Read More
Raise A Glass Of ‘China Blanc’ To This
This article by Edo Heyns appeared in this morning’s Landbou Burger – In Vino, Friday, 14 August 2015. Published in Afrikaans, we have t...Read More
Women in Wine
On 9 August, South Africa is celebrating Women’s Day. Without venturing into the magnitude of reasons why the world needs women, I thought...Read More
Hong Kong – An Important Beacon in The World of Wine
In 2014 the most expensive wine lot ever has been auctioned in Hong Kong. 114 bottles of Burgundy were sold for HK$12 556 25 = US$1.6 millio...Read More
Protecting Food Heritage and Origin – Conserving the Story, Skill and Passion
It is Bastille Festival in Franschhoek this weekend and although I am not in the Valley this year to join in the celebrations, I can almost ...Read More
Wine Education – Time and Money Well Spent
Yesterday I had a wonderful lunch with Penny Richards, Executive Director of the Institute of Masters of Wine as well as Oliver Chapman, inv...Read More
A Guarantee of Origin and Quality – The Value of Classification
I have just returned from a visit to Bordeaux. There is just something about this place that makes it feel like the home of wine. And while ...Read More
A Country to Walk – Whether It Is for Nature, Wine or Pork!
This week we finished our walking holiday of Hungary – an experience I will treasure forever. Perhaps it is just our interest in wine, bu...Read More
Difficult to Pronounce, But Easy to Taste – Enjoying the Wines of Hungary
Last week in anticipation of our walking holiday in Hungary, I shared some of what I have read and learned about Hungary and its wines, espe...Read More
The Wines of Hungary
We are planning a walking holiday through Hungary and of course I thought about the wine we might find on the way. Did you know that Hungary...Read More
Wine Families of The World
“Do families make better wines? It’s a romantic notion and one that mom-and-pop producers – many of whom like to peddle the notion tha...Read More
Cheering for Sustainability
The Drinks Business Green Awards Shortlist has just been announced. The team at La Motte is delighted to have made the shortlist in two cate...Read More
#Prowein2015 Highlights on Twitter
We have just returned from Prowein – in my opinion, one of the most important international wine shows.And 2015 was a record-breaking ...Read More
Wine Fairs – Not Only for The Show
In a month, everyone who is anyone in the wine industry will attend the annual international wine fair Prowein in Düsseldorf, Germany. One ...Read More
South African Wine Grape Harvest 2015 – Initial Expectations
The 2015 wine grape harvest has started with a bang! At La Motte we usually bring in the first grapes at the end of January, even early Febr...Read More
Jancis Robinson On South African Wine
This week the South African wine industry was honoured by a visit from renowned wine writer Jancis Robinson and I had the privilege to liste...Read More
The Difficult Match of a Classic Combination – Cheese and Wine
We are just returning from a wonderful skiing holiday in Switzerland and while I really enjoy spending time in the beautiful outdoors, the w...Read More
Sunscreen for Your Sauvignon Blanc?
South Africa being second only to Australia when it comes to the incidence of skin cancer, we are the two countries that should be most dili...Read More
The Opportunity of Chinese Investment in SA Wine Industry
Chinese investors just bought 51% of Swartland Winery – a traditional co-operation wine cellar outside of Malmesbury in the Swartland wine...Read More
Suggesting A White South African Christmas
Family, friends and colleagues know about my passion for the Rhône and its beautiful red wines. Those elegant, yet lively blends of Syrah, ...Read More
Champagne and Its Counterparts – A Matter of Style
Each year the last weekend of November / first weekend of December sees stylish celebrations around the French Huguenot monument in Franschh...Read More
Award-Wining Chinese Wine and Japanese Whisky Causing Terroir Doubt?
This week The Drinks’ Business reported that “Whisky expert Jim Murray has named a Japanese single malt as the best whisky in the world ...Read More
Food and Wine Matching – The Bare Essentials
Earlier this year at the Cape Wine Auction, we were lucky enough to win the bid for a special food and wine pairing experience prepared by c...Read More
Art and Wine – A Relationship to Treasure
The relationship between art and wine is much celebrated.At the launch of a new contemporary exhibition in the La Motte Museum as well a...Read More
Wine Tasting Rooms – More Than Just Sampling
SVB on Wine posted a very interesting article on the importance of product sampling. Referencing Procter & Gamble’s realisation that “s...Read More
The Story of The Super Tuscans
This week we spent a few days in Tuscany. A highlight on the itinerary of any tourist to Italy, this beautiful area not only delivers on the...Read More
Marchesi Antinori – Tradition, Trends and Tourism
Being part of a family-owned wine estate that treasures history and heritage, our visit earlier this week to one of Italy’s oldest, bigges...Read More
Gold Replaces Alcohol in Wine – Only in Dubai!
This week we joined Argentina and Chile at the Wines of the Beautiful South Trade Tasting in London and I’ll shortly share some of my insi...Read More
Moving the Earth for Wine
It has almost been a week since a magnitude-6.0 earthquake created destruction in the Californian winelands.While local wine producers t...Read More
Alcohol Consumption – China and South Africa
An article in The Economist, discusses how China’s alcohol consumption has increased in recent years due to an increase in income. Accordi...Read More
Celebrate in Style, Whether It Is with Champagne, Cava, Prosecco or Méthode Cap Classique
This weekend, the Franschhoek Valley celebrates the 21st edition of its annual Bastille Festival, reminiscing on its French Huguenot heritag...Read More
Stealing Wine – An Actual Crime
Being in the wine industry we are in the fortunate position that one almost never runs out of wine. And when you do, it is relatively easy t...Read More
Commanderie De Bordeaux En Afrique Du Sud Intronise New Commandeurs
On Wednesday evening we attended the Johannesburg Meeting of the Commanderie de Bordeaux en Afrique du Sud, hosted by the Maître of the org...Read More
Introducing the Joy of Well-Matched Food and Wine to China
We are so excited about a series of food and wine events that we are hosting in China this week. Introducing the culture of food and wine to...Read More
The Passions of New Zealand – Pinot Noir and High-End Tourism
Our visit to Australia’s Barossa Valley and Mclarenvale was difficult to top, but visiting New Zealand was no let-down! Thank you very muc...Read More
A Day in the Barossa Valley
What a wonderful day in Australia’s famous Barossa wine valley!I understand why it is the most active wine route in Australia. Not onl...Read More
Press Release: Six New Graduates Join the Ranks of Cape Wine Masters
Six new graduates who have completed the gruelling 5-year programme were awarded their certificates as Cape Wine Masters (CWM) at a function...Read More
How to Become a Master of Cape Wine
This afternoon we attended the Cape Wine Masters graduation luncheon of the Cape Wine Academy and Institute of Cape Wine Masters (ICWM)....Read More
Types of Tourism
Yesterday, we were visited by an Italian film crew producing a documentary on tourism in South Africa for one of their local television stat...Read More
A Successful Wine Club – Delight Rather Than Discount
For quite a while I have been eager to start a wine club for our wine properties in Franschhoek. In the process we have looked at other wine...Read More
Wine Buying – A Matter of Convenience
Yesterday, The Drinks Business reported on the Brits’ wine buying habits, saying: “A Brit’s “perfect bottle” is red, Australian, f...Read More
Inauguration of L’Huguenot Cellar at Val De Vie
Following on the first Chinese investment in the South African wine industry, the extensively renovated cellar and new home of the L’Hugue...Read More
Celebrity in Wine
This week, the daughter and granddaughter of world icon, Nelson Mandela, launched their own wine label in the Netherlands. The wines are cal...Read More
Afrasia Bank Cape Wine Auction Raises More Than R7 Million for Education in The Winelands
On Saturday, 15 March we attended the 2014 AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction where R7.045 million was raised for education in the Cape Wineland...Read More
The Cape Wine Auction – Glamour with A Conscience
Even though those of us who live and work in the Cape Winelands know that our industry and day-to-day living are very much about community a...Read More
Merlot or Margarita? Do You Have to Start Fretting Over the KJ’s In Your Glass?
Yesterday Decanter.com published an article on the suggested calorie counts on wine labels in the UK.Just over a year ago, another UK dr...Read More
South African Wine, Made for China
I chatted to CNN Marketplace Africa on the prospects and potential for South African wine in the Chinese market, how we have to compete in t...Read More
Initial Thoughts on the 2014 Harvest
We started the 2014 harvest at La Motte this week and after chatting to our Cellarmaster, Edmund Terblanche and Viticulturist, Pietie le Rou...Read More
Celebrating New Cultures with Interesting Food & Wine Combinations
“The world is such a small place!” This is a phrase I hear and use all the time. So often at an unexpected time and place we will meet s...Read More
Top Wine Trends For 2014
I love trend-forecasting. Not only is it interesting to see whether the year lives up to what is predicted, but trends also reflect on what ...Read More
The Wonderful World of Wine
This week I read quite a few interesting wine-related stories and was again reminded of the wonderful world of wine.Although it is a deb...Read More
My Wishes For 2014
How exciting it is to stand at the beginning of a new year – 365 days of opportunity lying ahead of us. And it is up to us to make every d...Read More
Global Wine Consumption Trends, They’re Not What One Would Think
It’s been interesting to watch the wine scene grow in the USA since this was previously a more modest business sector in this country, a c...Read More
Tourism Supporting the Wine Industry
“The glamour that people perceive is just that — perception,” says Earl Sullivan, founder of Telaya Wine in Idaho in reaction to what ...Read More
Wine Vision Key Learnings and Some Interesting Trends For 2014
Last Friday I introduced Wine Vision, the global wine industry conference, that wrapped up last week in London and out of which a few intere...Read More
Eating in the Winelands
Earlier this month, South Africa’s Eat Out DSTV Food Network Restaurant Awards listed what they regard as the Top Ten restaurants in South...Read More
Wine Vision: Interesting Industry Trends For 2014
Wine Vision, the global wine industry conference, wrapped up this week in London, and identified a key future trends for the global wine ind...Read More
Wine Trends for Younger Chinese Generations
Over the past few weeks we had a look at how wine consumption patterns differ between various generations – the Baby Boomers, the X Genera...Read More
A Millennial of Wine Drinkers
Last week we discussed the X Generation and how wine marketers have to a large degree missed the opportunity of speaking to a whole generati...Read More
Wine Shortage
Although according to Jancis Robinson the shortage reports are highly exaggerated, the reason for this forecasted wine draught seems to be t...Read More
Celebrating Our Heritage
On Tuesday, 24 September South Africa celebrates Heritage Day.In a country with eleven official languages and as much diversity when it ...Read More
Marketing Wine in China
China’s premium Fine Wine & Liquor Magazine published an interesting article on how the Spanish wine industry is approaching the Chinese m...Read More
Maturing Wine
Recently China’s first investment with Perfect China’s purchase of Val de Vie’s wine cellar, vineyards and manor house has been in the...Read More
Selling Wine in America
On a recent trip to America, I was once again struck by what a vast country it is. We predominantly travel to Europe where streets are narro...Read More
China’s First Investment in The South African Wine Industry Announced
Following on their significant recent investments in the French wine industry, especially in Bordeaux, China has now made its first investme...Read More
Texan Wine? A Few Quick Facts on The Us Wine Industry
We are currently travelling through the US and spent last night in Dallas, Texas. Here I learned that they are about more than Stetsons, Ste...Read More
Sauvignon Blanc
Wine Spectator yesterday reported about a vessel sinking with a few containers of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc aboard and commented tongue-in...Read More
Celebrating the Joie De Vivre of Our French Heritage
This weekend the Franschhoek Valley celebrates its 20th Bastille Festival and tonight we will start the festivities with a French-inspired d...Read More
Establishing A Wine Brand
In my previous blog we discussed how famous wine brands from traditional winemaking countries have become so well-established by looking at...Read More
Wine Branding
Last week I had a look at successful brands, logos and slogans and now I would like to bring that closer to home – to the wine world. Trad...Read More
A Sweet Red with Your Fillet?
The Drinks Business earlier this week reported on a seminar held at the annual London International Wine Trade Fair where senior drinks anal...Read More
A Celebration of Wine Tourism
Yesterday saw the Great Wine Capitals of The World’s 2013 Best of Wine Tourism awards for South Africa being presented to the various winn...Read More
Investing in Wine
The City of Cape Town’s new liquor legislation that came into effect on 1 April, regulates that no-one may keep more than 150 litres of wi...Read More
Another (The Most Important?) Reason to Go Organic
This week, Lucy Shaw reported in The Drink’s Business on the danger of pesticides, “Pesticide residues found in 90% of wines”.Plea...Read More
Does Matching Food and Wine Really Matter?
With La Motte being awarded as Best Food and Wine Matching Experience by Drinks International Wine Tourism Awards 2013, I remembered wine bl...Read More
Crystal Ball
Read this interesting article forecasting trends for the Wine Trade in 2013 by acclaimed UK wine journalist, Tim Atkin.“In such circum...Read More
SA Wine Quality
just finished lunch with two of the world’s leading wine writers who visited La Motte as part of their tour of the SA Winelands. I am ver...Read More
Chefs Table at Leopard’s Leap Vineyards
We held the first Chefs Table at Leopard’s Leap Vineyards today and it was a great success. The Chefs Table is a demonstration meal prepar...Read More
Taking a “Perfect Storm” to the Chinese Wine Market
With a lot of hard work between ourselves and our agents, Aussino World Wines, 2012 turned out to be an exceptional year for our wine market...Read More
Food Trends and Tradition
Being in the restaurant business forces one to stay up to date with all things culinary – something which I enjoy tremendously. When we re...Read More
Wine Tourism – making it work!
“We have enormous potential in this country and while we always knew about the contribution of tourism, we suddenly realised the immense p...Read More
Cape Winelands Cuisine and the Flavours of France
On our travels we have fell in love with the concept of regional food. And when we started conceptualising a restaurant on La Motte Wine Est...Read More
Wine tourism – working together works
Earlier this year South Africa’s wine tourism industry has been rated the best-developed in the world by International Wine Review, one of...Read More
Green Wine
With the 2012 edition of Cape Wine behind us, the organisers’ efforts to give it a Green focus, again made me think about what the general...Read More
The Cape Wine Academy Introduces Wine Lifestyle in Soweto
The Cape Wine Academy is the organiser of the TOPS Soweto Wine Festival. As leaders of Wine Education in South Africa, it is importa...Read More
Wine Marketing and Wine Shows
Wine shows – whether local or international, simple or grand, for the trade or for the public – are an essential part of wine marketing....Read More
Chinese Tone Down the Bling
Interesting article in a recent edition of The Wall Street Journal about Chinese consumers are shying away “from the most ostentatious log...Read More
The Importance of Wine Venues
These days the venue for buying and consuming wine is often just as important as the wine: look how many South African wine estates have awa...Read More
FM Reports That SA Wine Exports Looking Up
South Africa’s Financial Mail magazine is reporting that the SA wine industry may be in for better times and quotes WOSA CEO Sue Birch tha...Read More
Bastille Festival in Franschhoek
Franschhoek’s annual Bastille Festival is underway and is well worth a visit either today or tomorrow. A special part of this year’s fes...Read More
Wealthy Chinese Wine Consumers Prefer Traditional Over Modern
Research from wine market analysts Wine Intelligence of “upper middle class” Chinese wine lovers found a overriding preference for tradi...Read More
Preparing For the Bastille Festival
The Bastille Festival is on of the highlights of the Franschhoek calendar and one of the activities is the waiters’ race. Above is the Pie...Read More
Five-Year Plan for Chinese Wine
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the Ministry of Agriculture have jointly drawn up a five-year plan for ...Read More
L’Huguenot Is Official Wine for Brics
I am very pleased to announce that L’Huguenot wines was chosen as the official wine for a recent high-level meeting of the BRICS trade gro...Read More
John Maytham Reviews the 2010 Leopard’s Leap Shiraz
John Maytham, one of the foremost radio presenters in South Africa and a knowledgable wine connoisseur, recently reviewed the 2010 Leopard...Read More
Gala Dinner of the Grand Conseil Du Vin De Bordeaux
My wife Hanneli and I attended the the gala dinner of the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux at Château Lagrange, Saint Julien, last night. ...Read More
Photos from My Commanderie De Bordeaux Trip
Above are some more photos from my visit to France for a meeting of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. The top is of the barrel room of Chateau la...Read More
Wine Importers to China Up 200%
The total number of wine importers to China is up 200% in the last five years according to a new research report by Rabobank International w...Read More
Cooking With Peter Tempelhoff at Liam Tomlin Food
We were fortunate to experience a Chef’s Table demonstration dinner with renowned chef Peter Tempelhoff at Liam Tomlin Food last night. Pe...Read More
What Shanghai Means For SA Wine Brands
South African wine writer and commentator Neil Pendock wrote recently on his impressions of Shanghai and what it meant for South African win...Read More
Luxury Wineries Missing Social Media Opportunity
I recently cam across research by Canadian marketing professor Leyland Pitt whose research has found that “luxury wine brands without a so...Read More
People at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012
Above are photos of some of the many people I met at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012. The top one is with Ryk Neethling, marketing manager of Val ...Read More
Neil Pendock Records My Unhappiness with Wine Taxes
I have previously spoken about my unhappiness with the taxes imposed on South African wines entering the Chinese market. Well-known South Af...Read More
The Team at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012
Above is a picture of myself and the La Motte and Leopard’s Leap team behind our stand at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012. From left is James Ta...Read More
Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012
Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012, the international wine and spirits exhibition for Asia-Pacific, gets underway Tuesday in Hong Kong and is set to ...Read More
Where Individuals Store Their Wine
The Wall Street Journal wine writer Lettie Teague starts a recent column with “there are people for whom the wine cellar is every bit as i...Read More
Leopard’s Leap Is Winery of the Month
Leopard’s Leap is House and Leisure magazine’s Winery of The Month and is featured in their June edition. The layout of the article is f...Read More
Chinese Winemakers Seek To Compete With the French
The wine industry in China continues to evolve at a frenetic pace and witnessed by the various posts on my blog dealing with imports into Ch...Read More
Food24 Visits La Motte
The team from Food24 recently visited the estate and filmed several video clips for their website, including food demonstrations by our rest...Read More
Bottled Wine Imports into China Increase, But Slowdown Forecast
Using data from Chinese Customs, Meininger’s Wine Business International has provided some insights into bottled wine imports into China. ...Read More
La Motte Supports Cape Wine Masters
La Motte is a long time supporter of the Cape Wine Academy so it is always a pleasure to see new Cape Wine Masters emerging from the program...Read More
Chinese Demand Increases World Wine Trade By 11%
Bloomberg, the global business news agency, is reporting that World wine trade rose 11 percent by value to a record last year as imports int...Read More
Original Cape Cuisine at Pierneef A La Motte
Today’s Business Day newspaper carried a very nice article about Pierneef a La Motte and the Cape Winelands cuisine that the restaurant sp...Read More
The Aromas and Flavors of Wine
There is a nice article in The Wall Street Journal that explains the importance of oak barrels in giving wine some of its distinct flavours....Read More
Leopard’s Leap Wines and Liam Tomlin Food
In this wine.co.za video, Liam Tomlin and I discuss the pairing of Leopard’s Leap Wines and the Liam Tomlin Food cookery school in Fransch...Read More
Alcohol Marketing Restrictions in Europe
I recently blogged about potential legislation in South Africa restricting alcohol marketing and legislation. This legislative development i...Read More
Commanderie De Bordeaux Investiture and Tasting
The Commanderie de Bordeaux en Afrique du Sud met yesterday for the investiture of new Commandeurs of the Commanderie de Bordeaux en Afrique...Read More
Launching the 2011 Leopard’s Leap Family Collection Chenin Blanc
I am excited to announce the launch of the Leopard’s Leap 2011 Family Collection Chenin Blanc, available exclusively from our new tasting ...Read More
State of the Us Wine Industry 2012-2013
Above is a nice infographic put together by Silicon Vally Bank which has a speciality in servicing the US wine industry. The state of the US...Read More
The Blank Wine Label?
The South African government’s stated intention to further regulate the marketing and consumption of alcohol still remains unclear as to t...Read More
Bordeaux Looks Increasingly To China
I recently wrote that Chinese buyers of Bordeaux wines are now also becoming buyers of wine estates in the Bordeaux region. The trend of Chi...Read More
La Motte’s Sustainable Farming Practices
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNENrmpCl8EWine.co.za recently featured La Motte in an article about sustainable wine farming that also i...Read More
Period of Consolidation For Chinese Wine Importers Predicted
I was interested to read in the drinks business that renowned Chilean winemaker Miguel Torres is predicting that China’s wine importers ma...Read More
Harvest Outlook for Leopard’s Leap
In this video, I discuss the the 2012 harvest outlook for Leopard’s Leap Wines with winemaker Eugene van Zyl. The video is part of a serie...Read More
2012 Harvest Outlook for La Motte
This video is of myself and La Motte winemaker Edmund Terblanche discussing the 2012 harvest outlook for La Motte. The video is part of a se...Read More
From Buying Bordeaux Wine to Buying Bordeaux Estates
It is widely known that China is the biggest importer of Bordeaux wines, but it appears that Chinese buyers of Bordeaux wines are now also b...Read More
South African Harvest 2012
Another video in my three-part series about the 2012 South African harvest. In this video I discuss the quality of the picked grapes with La...Read More
Liam Tomlin Food in Taste Magazine
Taste magazine are doing a major feature about Liam Tomlin Food in their April edition. I think article is a great reflection of the culinar...Read More
Cooking With Liam Tomlin
Liam Tomlin Food have just released the first of their social media videos which show internationally renowned chef Liam Tomlin giving hands...Read More
Chef’s Table With William Drabble
During my recent trip to Europe I was fortunate to attend a chef’s table with Michelin star chef William Drabble at Seven Park Place resta...Read More
At Paul Bocuse Institute
I spent the last two days at the Paul Bocuse Institute in Lyon with my wife Hanneli and her daughter Berdine. We had a tour of the world’s...Read More
Australian Wine Needs To Rethink Its Exports To China
Australia should promote expensive wines in China to change a perception that Australian wine is cheap and therefore not good, according to ...Read More
At Prowein 2012
The ProWein international wine and spirits trade fair is one of the most important trade fairs that I attend each year on behalf of La Motte...Read More
Latest Findings On Wine Preferences
Wine Intelligence produces valuable research for the global wine industry. Below are some of their latest findings based on interviews with ...Read More
Filming The Wine Bearer
Video is an essential part of marketing communication these days and, at La Motte, we make sure that all aspects of the brand are captured o...Read More
Visit by CEO of Perfect China
Mr Woo Swee Lian, President of Perfect (China) and our partner in the L’Huguenot wine export deal to China, visited us in Franschhoek last...Read More
Launch of Leopard’s Leap Vineyards
Last night we hosted the first of two launch parties for Leopard’s Leap Vineyards, the new home for Leopard’s Leap Wines and Liam Tomlin...Read More
Valentines Cooking at Liam Tomlin Food
Here is a photo of myself and my wife Hanneli attending a Valentine Day cooking class at Liam Tomlin Food at the Leopard’s Leap Vineyards ...Read More
Is Aging of Wine an Outmoded Custom?
Wine writer Lettie Teague has written an interesting and informative article in The Wall Street Journal about whether aging wine has become ...Read More
Chinese Investors See Value of Vintages Drop
I came across this article recently in the China Daily that Chinese wine investors are dismayed to find that the value of some of their bott...Read More
Hands-On Cooking at Liam Tomlin Food
The hands-on cooking classes at Liam Tomlin Food at Leopard’s Leap Vineyards in Franschhoek are great fun and the best way how to learn to...Read More
South African Harvest 2012
The harvest season has begun in the winelands of South Africa and I am looking forward to a good harvest with excellent wines emerging from ...Read More
Selling South African Wine in Sweden
I am on my way back home after being part of a South African delegation that presented our wines to sommeliers in Gothenburg, Sweden. I am g...Read More
Visiting Institute Paul Bocuse
My travels in France have also taken me to the Institute Paul Bocuse in Lyon. The institute, which offers courses in culinary arts and hotel...Read More
Meeting and Tasting on Our Rhone Trip
I am currently in the Rhone region of France discussing ways to strengthen ties between the region and the Franschhoek region of South Afric...Read More
Overview of Chinese Launch for L’Huguenot
I have just finished a very successful Chinese road show to launch the L’Huguenot wine with Perfect China, our partners in the Perfect Win...Read More
L’Huguenot Tasting in China
The road show launching the L’Huguenot wine in China is currently in Dalian where we did a tasting with 250 of the top sales people that w...Read More
Launching L’Huguenot In China
I am currently in China launching the L’Huguenot wine brand with our partners in the Perfect Wines of South Africa joint venture. One of t...Read More
Cape Winelands Cuisine Wins Prestigious Award
I am very happy to announce that in December Cape Winelands Cuisine, the book based on the cuisine at our Pierneef a La Motte restaurant, w...Read More
Introduction to Champagne
I came across this nice introduction to Champagne written by Lettie Teague for The Wall Street Journal and thought I would share the article...Read More
The first event at Leopard’s Leap Vineyards
113 Chefs and restaurateurs gathered at the brand new Liam Tomlin Food Culinary Studio at Leopard's Leap Vineyards today for a demonstration...Read More