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    From Francophile to Global Citizen

    Celebrating our French heritage this weekend, I was reminded about why I enjoy the idea of a global village. From the earliest days, explori...
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    Drinks to keep the cold at bay

    Sometimes, in the middle of winter, when it is raining for four days in a row, we as sun-spoiled South Africans are struggling to stay warm....
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    The True Tale of Trade

    While international trade relations are in an awkward position with all the talk about tariff increases as well as serious political conflic...
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    Per Capita Consumption, captivating per se

    Do you think the French drinks the most wine, the Dutch is the world leaders in cheese consumption and pizza-eating patterns are a close-cal...
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    From Somm Sophistication to Simple Enjoyment

    Sommelier is such a beautiful word. It has that lovely French pronunciation and it implies a passion and knowledge that is a little foreign ...
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    A Call to Action – from intention to implementation

    The South African private sector makes an essential contribution to both the economy and society of South Africa. It plays a critical role i...
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    Connecting the Dots

    I will be retiring as CEO of La Motte and Leopard's Leap at the end of 2025. (Read more) It feels somewhat unreal and I reckon to contemplat...
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    Benchmarking Beverages

    With the third budget speech for the year and the eagerly anticipated meeting between Trump and Ramaphosa both set for the same week, there ...
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    Seasonal Sipping

    A well-chilled Sauvignon Blanc is synonymous with a hot summer's day in the Winelands. So is a complex red in front of a fire in winter rain...
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    The “affordable” luxury

    Do you feel like you are paying a little more for your favourite morning brew? Over the Easter season, the price of chocolate was in the new...
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    Ingest, but also Invest

    There is an expression about not trusting a skinny chef, but most chefs I know are quite lean and their food is fabulous. We know it is abou...
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    Hein on Coffee

    What does it require to change habits and preferences? We've been talking a lot about wine and how it seems to be falling out of favour with...
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    Friends in Business

    Trump's “In many cases, the friend is worse than the foe in terms of trade", made me think of the importance of having friends in business...
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    The Lesser of Two Evils?

    The much debated and long-awaited budget was delivered this week and despite all the drama and postponement of the annual budget speech, it ...
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    A Tough Spot for Wine

    Decanter reports that Constellation Brands is considering selling its wine portfolio because of the continuous, global decline in wine consu...
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    Our Daily Bread

    With the budget speech postponed due to disagreements within the GNU, the focus has been mainly on the proposed VAT hike and the suggested e...
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    Counting on Cape Town

    Cape Town is having a bumper tourism season and it is good news all around. While South Africa has done little over the last couple of years...
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    A Day for the Rose

    7 February is Rose Day. And no, I didn't just forget the é. It is the start of Valentine's week and therefore a day celebrating the rose fl...
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    Harvest 2025 – it’s a celebration!

    The most exciting time in the Cape Winelands has arrived with the 2025 harvest kicking off across the various growing areas. It is such a ti...
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    Changing for Climate Change

    Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is reversing the U.S. climate policy, but the topic of climate change didn't need the new Americ...
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    Ageing – an asset in 2025

    With the arrival of a New Year, one sometimes has the same ambivalent feelings that you have with a birthday. Grateful for having made it th...
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    From the exotic to the expected – Drinks in 2025

    It is trend time and if you are in the wine industry, you will obviously be interested in drinks trends. We need to look wider than our own ...
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    A Jung Family with Children listen live Musik on the Art and Craft Market in Franschhoek, South Africa

    A Sense of Community

    The Franschhoek Village Market has been a trending topic on Franschhoek social platforms recently. A request from some local businesses to l...
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    close- up of Solar panels reflect sparkling light From the sun ,Clean energy and environment.3D rendering

    While the Sun Shines

    Chances are that you've installed solar panels and converters at significant cost, just to have loadshedding suspended for an unprecedented ...
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    Orange

    Orange is Back!

    Orange is back in fashion. From the subtle shade of peach fuzz that is the colour of the year to the more leathery skin tone of the newly el...
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    Server, smile and holding plates in coffee shop with salad, happiness and black woman in cafe. Female person, joy and portrait in startup business of food industry in hospitality, waitress or staff

    Variety is on the menu

    Ask any foodie you know and they will probably list Italy, Spain and Japan as their dream food destinations. Whether you have been there, ar...
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    Superhero Sommeliers

    Superhero Sommeliers

    A Wine Enthusiast article on a new generation of sommeliers caught my eye. When last did you go to a restaurant with a sommelier? I find it ...
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    Who’s the Boss?

    We all have an opinion when it comes to The Boss. Whether you are the boss, have aspirations to become the boss or are just trying to plea...
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    Is a dumbphone the smart choice?

    Can you imagine going back to the mobile phone you used a decade ago? Now, go back even further to that first phone that allowed you to call...
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    An Economy of Sharing

    Recently when we tried out a new bake in the La Motte Bakery, I noticed that it fell open into beautiful petals when it was cut - just ready...
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    people enjoy a summer day in the busy Nyhavn quarter on the waterfront in Copenhagen with many restaurants and bars and Danish flags above

    Exploring Danish Wine

    Have you tried Danish wine? On a recent trip to Copenhagen, I learned that Denmark is about much more than Carlsberg and that this northernm...
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    Napoleon Bonaparte and his army, Soldiers, Victorian 19th Century style, Caran d'Ache

    Follow the Leader

    We've talked a lot about elections this year, but with the US Presidential election only a few weeks away, the dramatic race for leadership ...
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    Food traditions

    Local Food Traditions

    Food is an essential part of culture. It tells our story. Much more than how we survived or sustained ourselves, the food we prepare reflect...
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    Young woman loving nature

    Tourism – Sustainability is our Responsibility

    September announces a new season, and in South Africa, we take the opportunity to celebrate our heritage, our love for braai, and the import...
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    Reflections of wine filled vintage glasses

    A Special Moment with Stemware

    Sometimes we have a moment that feels like pure perfection. I had one this week at a rehearsal for JAN Franschhoek Season III. With the Fran...
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    La Motte_Portraits_05

    Brave & Businesslike – the success of The Cape Leopard Trust

    The Cape Leopard Trust that we have supported since its inception, turns 20 this year. They have done exceptional work in protecting the l...
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    Crowded Basilica of Sacred Heart. Paris

    Tourism – can we have too much of a good thing?

    Tourism is such a positive concept to most of us. For tourists it implies travel, holiday and leisure and for those of us in the industry, i...
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    All’s fine with fine dining

    Are we even talking about the future of fine dining anymore? Perhaps, by now, we've come to realise that it will always be there, it will ju...
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    American And South African Flag Pair On A Desk Over Defocused Background

    Profit vs Politics & Policy

    With an assassination attempt on Trump and Biden stepping out of the presidential race, America is making the headlines, but South Africans ...
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    portrait of smiling african american child in winter clothes outdoors

    Charity – it’s about caring

    What are your thoughts on charity? Do you think of it as hand-outs that enables a lack of responsibility or do you see it as your responsibi...
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    Fallen Tree Blocking Road

    When a tree falls

    With the excessive wet and windy conditions that we are experiencing in the Western Cape at the moment and during the two floods of 2023, ma...
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    La Motte Winter Landscape (30) low res

    A Season to Reflect, Renew & Restore

    When the rain messes with your plans and you are chilled to the bone, you might wish for summer, but rather reschedule your activity and tha...
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    fynbos poetry

    The Poetry of Fynbos

    Terminology like biodiversity and sustainability are part of our everyday wine jargon and in the Cape Winelands, fynbos is at the essence of...
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    Economics

    The Enigma of the Economy

    The Economy. What an enigmatic concept! Whether it is the global economy or the economic situation of your household, the economy determines...
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    The fisherman catches fish for spinning and stands in the water against a beautiful sunset.

    Keep a line in the water

    To win a raffle, you have to buy a ticket. It is as simple as that. Your chances might be slim and you might have no way of influencing the ...
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    bearded senior man drinking red wine

    Trends and Truths

    Most of us agree that the world is a challenging place to live in today and there are many reasons why we might feel a little despondent. In...
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    Backdrop seamless pattern with group of diverse people in a circle from different cultures holding hands. Community men and women of friends or volunteers. Top view. Racial equality.Team

    To exist, co-exist

    While driving, I caught the tail end of a repeat radio broadcast of an interview with my late father in law. He was a wise man with many wis...
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    wine tastings

    The Elegant Classroom

    If you still think serious wine drinkers are only those who know how to pronounce terroir, who book for tutored wine tastings, belong to a w...
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    leopard

    Shining the light on the Cape leopard

    On 3 May we celebrate International Leopard Day. Many of us admire these magnificent creatures, but why do we have a specific day dedicated ...
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    Why we choose wine

    There's not a wine show or wine publication that haven't been focusing on the no and low wine category over the past few years. We've done e...
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    Have fun with kid. Father and daughter.

    The Earth: Love It, Don’t Lose It

    With Earth Day on 22 April, I was thinking about a call to action. This year's theme is planet vs plastics and my initial thoughts were abou...
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    La Motte Manor House

    Custodians of Cape Winelands Culture

    Following one of the windiest nights I've experienced while living in the Cape Winelands, we awoke on Sunday morning to social media sharing...
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    aerial view of Cape Town city in Western Cape province in South Africa

    Give good governance a go!

    In an election year, governance is top of mind and while we often criticize the South African Government for everything from loadshedding to...
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    Nervous man talking smartphone at urban bar close up. Businessman holding wine

    A Shift in Focus

    We've just returned from Germany after another successful edition of the annual Prowein trade show in Dusseldorf. I've lost track of how man...
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    Congratulating on successful business seminar!

    A Round of Applause

    One shouldn’t need a specific day like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day to love or appreciate but while there is no denying the commercial ...
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    Multiracial people having fun eating at food truck outdoor - Focus on left girl face

    Restaurant Reality

    I remember when I grew up, farmers used to say that if in your lifetime, you manage to double the land you own, you know you are farming su...
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    compare-or-despair

    Dare we Compare?

    Sometimes, you feel that you can't compare to what friends, family or even competing industries are busy with. They might be more successful...
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    La Motte_Blessing of the Harvest_2024_Stills_46

    The Blessing of the Harvest

    Our annual Blessing of the Harvest ceremony at La Motte stays such a special opportunity to express our gratitude for another harv...
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    Large stacked container ship leaving the port of Cape Town with Table mountain and the city in the background, South Africa.

    Our Best Shot?

    After the rush that was 2023, I promised myself that I'd approach this year a little more sensibly... Seems to be tougher than I thought, th...
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    Vlogging about make-up

    Courting via Co-lab

    There's a recent trend in marketing that combines the traditional business practice of partnerships with modern-day influencer marketing. It...
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    LM Harvest (52) LR

    2024 Harvest Expectations: Short and Sweet

    According to Forbes.com, sommeliers listed South Africa as one of the 7 wine regions to watch in 2024. Those of us involved with the industr...
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    Colourful surreal psychedelic abstract liquid background. Water and oil drops with small air bubbles

    Blurred Boundaries

    I enjoy trend-watching, but I have to admit over the last few years, I feel that wine consumer trends have been predominantly focused on sus...
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    Interracial couple holding hands at wedding

    Partnering Up

    We start the New Year with an eagerly anticipated wedding in our family. We are all very excited and a little nervous. At this late stage, t...
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    Glass of red wine detail

    Wine – its place, beauty and business

    Here we are - at the end of 2023! I always love doing an overview of the top performing blogs to see what appealed most to readers in the pa...
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    "Izmir, Turkey - April 9, 2012: Spring rain in Kibris Sehitler street, busiest street in the city center. It is just raining and a man selling umbrella to the people."

    Open to Opportunity

    What opportunities did 2023 present to you? Within a stressed global economy and a world at war, perhaps not that much? Perhaps you feel lik...
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    La Motte MCC & the Motte loaf (1)

    The Culture of Bubbles and Bread

    A festival of Champagne and Cap Classique? Isn’t that exactly where one should be going at this time of year? And indeed, during the first...
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    Beauty

    Mindful of beauty

    Do you live and work in a beautiful place? Do you think the charm of your surroundings make a difference to your quality of life? It seems e...
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    Pink Christmas Gift, Calligraphy Thank You, Snowflakes

    Let’s be grateful

    Despite the original reasons for our big days and celebrations, brands and businesses have turned most of them into commercial ventures capi...
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    Singapore Skyline and view of Marina Bay at twilight

    Inspired by the Singapore Dream

    With all the global conflict, positive news is always welcome and Singapore's Forward Singapore initiative feels like just that. It is about...
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    Multiracial friends drinking red wine outside at farm house vineyard countryside - Group of young people taking selfie picture outdoor - Life style concept with guys and girls enjoying summer vacation

    Making friends for wine

    After the countrywide elation of the Springbok win, it was back to reality in the office this week. The festive season is upon us, and it is...
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    Business meeting outdoors

    A fist pump for experience and enthusiasm

    "The most experienced #Springboks team ever will line up for the #RWC2023 final against New Zealand in Paris on Saturday..." announced the S...
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    Rugby football player in action

    The Power of Pressure

    I think I speak for the majority of rugby-loving South Africans, when I say, it was close to impossible to sleep after last week's nerve-wra...
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    LL Alfresco (34)

    Raising a glass to SA Wine Tourism

    This week I attended the awards ceremony of the South African edition of the Great Wine Capitals of the World Best of Wine Tourism Awards. (...
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    LM Bakery & Garden Café (80)

    The Beauty of a Building

    When we opened La Motte's historic werf to the public earlier this year, it introduced a new era for the historic Cape Dutch buildings on th...
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    vloed

    What’s on in Franschhoek?

    Last week I wrote about our wonderful walking holiday through rural Italy. Often during this unique experience, I noticed similarities with ...
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    Italy walking holiday

    The Charm of Hidden Italy

    I've been fortunate to enjoy many wonderful holidays in my life, but a recent walking holiday in the Italian countryside has bowled me over ...
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    Beautiful Southeast Asian Influencer Taking Selfie While Tasting Red Wine

    All About Influence

    The online world is capitalising on the amount of time we spend there, but in this cacophony of advertisements, what are brands to do to dis...
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    Happy woman reading a book drinking wine on a couch

    Make time to read

    It doesn't matter how much you know through practical experience; we do need literacy to ensure a way of sharing our knowledge or to obtain ...
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    Christmas dinner with friends. Home is decorated with Christmas string lights. Everyone wearing elegant clothing. Eating sushi and drinking champagne.

    Table Talk

    With the arrival of Spring on 1 September, we are also launching a new season of JAN Franschhoek, the exceptional food and wine experience b...
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    Shiraz & Friends

    Shiraz & Friends

    In South Africa, we celebrate National Shiraz Day on 21 August as the international version of this celebration falls in the peak of our loc...
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    Shot of a group of young businesspeople giving each other a high five in a modern office

    Happy at work – to be or not to be

    Some years ago, motivational speaker Gavin Sharples visited us in Franschhoek with his well-known presentation, Happyology. I remember him s...
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    Multi-ethnic group of business persons discussing business

    Negotiate in Style

    From Los Angeles to Langa, strike action is making the headlines again. In some way, we are all affected, whether it is a loss of income, be...
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    wine bottle opening

    Raise a glass to the humble corkscrew

    Sometimes the most effective tool has the simplest design. Take the corkscrew, for instance. The original design might have been ingenious, ...
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    Bastille 2020

    En Primeur – an investment for pocket, palate & patronage

    The concept of En Primeur has been practiced in Bordeaux since the 18th century. Such a historic wine tradition might be regarded as romanti...
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    african union on world map with national borders

    Wine for Africa!

    While it seemed most Capetonians chose Mauritius to escape the cold and wet winter, we were doing the same, but just ended up a little to th...
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    Streets of Lagos downtown.

    Economic Prospects for Africa – a glass half full?

    What comes to mind when you think of the African economy? Do you see exceptional economic prospects, innovative entrepreneurs, a wealth of r...
    Read More
    A young businessman sitting in a bar with a martini

    As Classic as a Cocktail

    The Wimbledon crowd is expected to drink more than 270 000 servings of Pimm's Cup cocktails during this year's tournament. While a refreshin...
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    Team leader. golden king with silver chess piece on chess board game competition on business man background, checkmate, chess battle, victory, success, leadership, teamwork, business strategy concept

    Staff vs Strategy

    "Culture can eat strategy for breakfast every day." Is this really true in today's business environment? Will prioritising purpose and peopl...
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    JAN Franschhoek_HR-4905

    The Taste of a Place

    Planning the menu for JAN Franschhoek, the seasonal food and wine experience presented on La Motte, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen was insp...
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    Rain

    Taking a Rain Check

    What a start to winter! The Cape Winelands have been receiving good, albeit unseasonal, rain from as early as March, but June has been an ex...
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    Venison, fire & wine

    Winter, venison & wine

    For many of us, venison is a favourite winter ingredient, but as it is not a type of meat that we usually find on supermarket shelves, seaso...
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    Business concepts with businessman holding hourglass with graph chart on computer laptop

    Preparation in Anticipation

    "There's always a miracle coming. You just have to wait long enough. Some people get discouraged, but you just have to WAIT." - Madame May-...
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    Close-up of food with wine glasses on table of luxury yacht.

    Every wine has its day

    This week we celebrated Chardonnay Day and like most of these days – Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day… - enjoying your favourite wine o...
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    Brand concept on chalkboard. Magnet and figures of people

    The Brand Being

    In business, brand is always top of mind and for me, even more so after yesterday's Wine Tourism Conference with the theme Brands, Brand Bui...
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    Rockfall sign under glacier

    Take the edge off with preparation

    A small town in Switzerland has to be evacuated because they literally have a rock hanging over their heads. While this might be quite a uni...
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    Young couple in sports clothing hydrating themselves while resting together after exercising in a park

    Lessons from an “energy” drink

    PRIME hydration drinks have taken the South African youth by storm. Hyped up by celebrity influencers Logan Paul and Olajide "KSI" Olatunji,...
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    3D Render businessman touching robotic hand

    A Job in Today’s World

    1 May is Worker’s Day and I thought to have a look at what it really means to have a job today. South Africa is at an exasperating unemplo...
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    Woman taking picture of her friends at dinner party

    The Company We Keep

    Some sayings just always stay relevant. “You are the company you keep” refers to how the people you choose to associate with - as well a...
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    Village lifestyle is the best for our family

    The Descendants

    Most of us are interested in our own genealogy - especially in a country like South Africa with a diverse society originating from various i...
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    Concept Burnout Syndrome. Business Woman feels uncomfortable working. Which is caused by stress, accumulated from unsuccessful work And less resting body. Consult a specialist psychiatrist.

    Exhaustion & Expectations – challenges at work in 2023

    I've always maintained that a company's workforce is one of its biggest assets, but managing a balance between productivity, overheads and a...
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    Wine tasting event.

    Pop Culture at ProWein 2023

    Just last week I said that wine festivals have a shelf life. (Read more) The same is often true about wine fairs, but one that has stood the...
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    Rear view of a bar man handing a wine glass over to a mid adult woman. The woman is standing with a mid adult man. In the background there is a group of friends standing and talking.

    Events – evaluated

    How do you keep the economy of a tourism focused area alive in the off-season? You create a reason for people to come. According to a recent...
    Read More
    heineken distell

    Competition vs Regulation

    Big news this week was that, after nearly 18 months since announcing its intentions, Heineken and Distell finally received merger approval f...
    Read More
    Barmaid cleaning a glass

    Charm & Courage

    Authenticity is a buzz word in tourism today. For many travellers and holiday makers, it is about having a once-in-a-lifetime experience or ...
    Read More
    Occupied senior businessman having a headache.

    The Question of Balance

    Balance is a very important concept and in wine, even the positives aren't positive when there's no balance. But how important is balance in...
    Read More
    honey bee on a ripening grape fruits

    Where there are bees there are flowers

    When wine is your trade and passion, it is also your reference. Recently, I have been chatting quite a bit to bakers and have noticed the si...
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    Rustic style aged window.

    A Nation with Broken Windows

    Whether inspirational or disappointing, I usually get something interesting from the State of the Nation address that speaks to the interest...
    Read More
    La Motte CEO Hein Koegelenberg (19)

    #HappyBirthdaySAWine

    As the only wine producing country in the world that has an exact date for its day of birth, this week, SA wine celebrated its 364th birthda...
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    La Motte_Hein and workers_Blog_004 2

    Small Volume, Big League

    The 2023 SA wine grape harvest is expected to be smaller than last year. While the decline is nothing drastic, it is supposed to be the four...
    Read More
    unexpected resilience: a few glass bottles bear the weight of a column. 3D digital render

    Resilience, Responsibility & Revolution

    Sometimes you spend a few hours with people whose thoughts and ideas challenge you and open your mind to introspection and reflection. As in...
    Read More
    Beautiful smiling african american florist holding flowers while cheerful colleague standing behind

    Small Joys, Honest Pricing and a Human Touch – what consumers want in 2023

    As we're taking on the new year, are we lacking a sense of optimism? Covid and the war in Europe are old news, but they are still shaping ou...
    Read More
    Dandelion seeds in the air, orange evening sun

    Keeping the dream alive

    This is the time of year to reflect on the biggest stories, events and highlights of 2022. At the beginning of 2020, we didn't expect a pand...
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    Summer sea sunset. Romantic picnic on the beach. Bottle of wine, glasses, candles, plaid and pillows.

    The Bright Side of Darkness

    The word ‘darkness’ has many idiomatic uses that usually lean towards the negative. Its most literal definition is the absence of light ...
    Read More
    multipurpose businessman

    Motivating Multitasking

    We are currently caught in the mad end-of-year rush and it feels like there are just not enough hours in the day. My brain is trying to keep...
    Read More
    LM Lavender & Veepos by Andrew Dunkin

    Honesty, Bravery & Passion

    As a family, we are always looking for interesting and creative ways to share our passion for wine and food with our guests. Reinventing you...
    Read More
    La Motte Aerial Sunset 011

    Reconciling Wine Production with Conservation

    Sustainability is the buzzword of the century. Yet, acting on its pivotal role in economic viability, environmental protection and social eq...
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    Humorous portrait of the main boss. Can be used for publications, posters and postcards.Can be used in social networks, for articles, publications, postcards, print, poster, sticker, on a T-shirt.

    Leadership Lessons – for Elon Musk & the rest of us

    Elon Musk and how he handles his newly acquired Twitter, has been all over the news this week. He is widely criticised for his new rules and...
    Read More
    Yacht Cruise Ship Sea Ocean Tropical Scenic Concept

    Are we cruising for a bruising?

    This time of year, going on a cruise sounds like a dream. Such escapism! Cruises are popular holidays and they make an important contributio...
    Read More
    Compliments to the Chef

    Compliments to the Chef

    We already celebrate Mother's and Father's Day, Secretary's Day, Boss's Day, Milk Tart Day, Shiraz Day... so why not have International Chef...
    Read More
    Man drinking and smelling coffee

    Value – it’s a question of expectation

    Regardless of whether you're able to spend R25 or R85 on a cup of coffee, we all want value for money.  So what is the value of that warmin...
    Read More
    Cape Wine 2022

    Cape Wine 2022 – Love, Resilience and Sustainability

    “We shouldn’t waste a good crisis” says Gerard Martin of WineTechSA when asked about South Africa’s electricity challenge and its ef...
    Read More
    Friends around the campfire

    Heritage & Harmony

    Two special days are celebrated this week. International Day of Peace on 21 September and South Africa's Heritage Day on 24 September. One a...
    Read More
    Two friends leaving a store with smiles that promotes sustainable living in the North East of England. The store has refill stations to reduce plastic and food waste. The store sells homemade organic bars of soap as well as vegan based foods.

    Waste not, want not

    With Cape Wine 2022 happening in a few weeks, its theme, Sustainability 360, has put responsible practices top of mind again. Going through ...
    Read More
    Bored man working on laptop in home office

    Quietly Quitting

    Quiet Quitting is a new expression to me, but what it stands for is familiar. Disengagement in any relationship, whether it is platonic, rom...
    Read More
    Celebration toast with champagne

    A Toast to Texture

    This week we celebrated Cap Classique Day and it made me think about the popularity of sparkling wines. What is it that distinguish them fro...
    Read More
    Stressed out African American female freelancer working from home using her laptop and encountering some problems concerning her business

    The Need for Speed

    In South Africa, we often celebrate our braai culture as a common denominator in our diverse society, but there is something else we have in...
    Read More
    Woman using tablet and holding credit card

    Palate vs Purse

    Returning from a trip to the UK where I was lucky enough to try some interesting wines, I realised that with less wine-related travel, shows...
    Read More
    Close up shot of sommelier pouring red wine from bottle in glass

    Aspiration – it’s about Appreciation

    Sometimes you get an opportunity to dine really well. In an environment with old world grandeur, attention to detail, polished service and a...
    Read More
    Ripe wine grapes and wine leaf in sunlight - horizontal

    Things are heating up for English Wine

    There is some charm to winter, even if it is only in a glass of red wine or a cozy fire, but I must admit that I'm happy to escape some of t...
    Read More
    Shot,Of,Franschhoek,Wine,Town,During,Sunset

    The Sun Shines in Franschhoek

    The Franschhoek Valley has just been announced as one of TIME's 2022 World's Greatest Places. What an honour for our small community and wha...
    Read More
    Creative business team (Bulb, Pencil, Brain, Plan) meeting their investor.

    Be a Smart Cookie

    Have you noticed that logos are getting simpler? Less artistic elements, clearer and bigger fonts, fewer colours? They almost start to look ...
    Read More
    Portrait of elegant adult woman complaining about food quality and taste to young waitress in cafe, copy space

    Coping with Criticism

    Minister Bheki Cele didn’t react well to criticism this week. (See video) He was called on some police matters and, in his response, made ...
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    Shot of a young woman having a glass of wine poured

    A Jargon Issue

    Important historic events often result in changes to our vocabulary. Recently, Covid made an existing term like lockdown part of our everyda...
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    She's eager and excited to be joining a new team

    Smile! It’s contagious.

    No more masks! What a relief to hear that this Covid protocol has been lifted. Not only because it indicates that we might be over the worst...
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    Senior business mentorship

    Embrace rather than Estrange

    This month’s Youth Day celebrations recognise the importance of our country's young people. While originally in honour of the courage and ...
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    Close-up of carton packaging of wine on a store shelf and a man takes one

    Can Premium be a Problem?

    The premiumisation of SA wine has been the focus of Wines of South Africa for a while. Getting away from our cheap and cheerful image and se...
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    man freelancer working on laptop computer, keyboarding text and holding cup with coffee on beach

    Perhaps a plan for productivity

    Are you working remotely nowadays or are you again driving to and from the office every day? A more lenient approach to where you work from,...
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    No Exit Sign

    Barriers for Business

    Doing business isn't always easy. Sometimes you might just find yourself in the right place at the right time, but often, running a successf...
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    Preparing a healthy dinner.

    Add Quality

    Whether you follow former Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, on Twitter or not, chances are you stumbled across one of his popular posts sha...
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    Couple of man with a glass of wine at social event wearing elegant cloth.

    Same But Different

    I am on my way to Prowein again. Covid cancelled Europe's biggest wine trade fair in 2020 and 2021 and packing my bags for the 2022 edition ...
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    Pouring white wine in a glass goblet.

    The Seduction of Sauvignon Blanc

    6 May is International Sauvignon Blanc Day. Sauvignon Blanc's popularity in a country with a warm climate and alfresco lifestyle, is easy to...
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    Accounting, Financial, Banking Data. Tiny Accountant Characters around of Huge Clip Board Filling Bookkeeping Charts

    The Sense of Census

    Whether or not you have participated in Census 2022 yet, chances are that you have thought about the importance of getting counted. Is the c...
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    Aerial top view containers ship cargo business commercial trade logistic and transportation of international import export by container freight cargo ship in the open seaport.

    About Ports and Power

    Have you seen the latest graphics showing the state of Shanghai harbour? You probably did see what Mariupol and Durban looks like! All these...
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    Good News

    Give me the Good News

    There seems to be so little good news these days. The madness of war in Europe affects us all - even if it is only because of the prices of ...
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    Happy couple toasting wine in cottage

    Look East, but not too far

    A week or two ago, in my blog Tourism - creating sales for Africa, I asked whether we are really capitalising on South Africa's exceptional ...
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    Scenic Franschhoek in the middle of the South African winelands with its beautiful vinyards

    A Valley of Dreams and Doers

    The Franschhoek Valley is very close to my heart. It is where I live and make a living and it is important to me that it goes well with the ...
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    Friends having a glass of wine outdoors

    Tourism – creating sales for Africa

    When thinking about wine marketing, we often focus on consumer trends and we look at what is new within the wine drinking community. But how...
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    Podium with Euro Money Bags on Chalkboard Background - 3D Rendering

    Third is on the Podium

    We have two guys from Washington state helping in the cellar during harvest time and they asked me about South Africa being a third world co...
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    French soldiers, Grandeur d'ame drinking wine, 19th Century

    War and Wine

    War is a serious and sad subject. Although political agendas and strategies are at the heart of such conflict, it is actual human beings who...
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    Shot of a young businessman looking surprised while working on a laptop in an office

    Such is life

    "Life is currently moving at several haibos per minute." (@kwameaddoobiri_) I am no fatalist, but I couldn't help to smile at the accuracy o...
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    On The Wings Of Freedom - Birds Flying And Broken Chains - Charge Concept

    Allow for Magic

    There is nothing that kills creativity like micromanagement. This might seem obvious, but it is not always easy not to do when you like thin...
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    Sommelier in the wine cellar

    Quality over Quantity

    When we had small kids, we often felt bad about working so hard and not spending enough time with them. We then reassured ourselves with the...
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    Beautiful young brunette sitting on a fallen autumn leaves in a park, eating chocolate bar

    Do you taste what I taste?

    Much of what we keep ourselves busy with in the wine industry, is the taste of wine. Taste when it comes to quality, consumer expectations a...
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    “Revive. Recover. Rebuild”

    I thought the theme for this year's Nedbank Vinpro Information Day for the SA wine industry, quite apt: Revive, Recover. Rebuild. These thre...
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    Businessman hand holding 2022 number,happy new year concept digital trends,industry and business trend of world full modernity advanced technology,artificial intelligence or AI,banner header panoramic

    Trends for 2022

    Other than the usual resolutions for a healthier lifestyle and more conservative spending habits, I felt predictions for 2022 have been rath...
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    Barbecue party in back yard

    In our own backyard

    Without the opportunity to travel as extensively as we usually do, my blogs for 2021 had a strong local flavour. Other than the lessons from...
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    The text 'stop and think' appearing behind torn brown paper. Beautiful metallic pen.

    Stop! Take the time. Think.

    Much of the beauty of online communication is in the immediate interaction. Who even remembers the days when your response to a column in a ...
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    Rose wine glasses set on wine tasting. Different varieties, colors and shades of pink wines on white background. Top view

    Pink Perception

    December brings summer to the Southern hemisphere and in the wine world that means a focus on wines for warmer weather. Refreshing whites, l...
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    Female restaurant employee supporting the campaign for vaccination against COVID-19.

    Is there safety in numbers?

    "Franschhoek’s population is officially safe and it is the first town in South Africa to have more than 80% of its people vaccinated again...
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    “Bounce Forward”

    A rollercoaster ride for SA wine in 2020 - the topic of my blog on 24 January last year. The caption proved to be right on the money. Almost...
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    Businessman (office worker) decluttering his mind (light bulb with tangled messy electrical line) and regaining (restoring) his focus (clear thinking)

    Maintenance Matters

    The view of starry skies over South Africa shared by a NASA Astronaut from the Endeavour's windows on twitter (click for tweet) is beautiful...
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    Female Splitting The Bubble Wrap Cover

    Burst that Bubble

    In a world of less travel and socialising and even lockdown (!), we had time. Time to reconsider relevance and importance and also to think ...
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    British newspaper front pages following Brexit vote result

    Do words still matter?

    Sometimes you see something that shouldn't really be surprising, but it still blows your mind. In a recent tweet, @ThamKhaiMeng shared "ever...
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    Wildebeests are crossing Mara river. Great Migration. Kenya. Tanzania. Masai Mara National Park. An excellent illustration.

    Sink or Swim – lessons from the Serengeti

    Witnessing the migration of the Serengeti's wildebeest is an unforgettable experience. There is something intoxicating about watching the ag...
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    A king and queen buying groceries and paying at the cashier

    Is the Customer still King?

    "Unpopular opinion: 'The customer is always right' is one of the most toxic phrases in business and needs to be retired forever." This tweet...
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    Braai

    More than fire and food

    September sees South Africans celebrate tourism and heritage. The official Heritage Day on 24 September is also fondly called Braai Day and ...
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    Young male student using Vr Headset

    More Disruption?

    A mailer about Disruptive Marketing landed in my inbox this week. Looking at the subject line, I was at once eager to read more and trying t...
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    Celebration

    Depth and Drama

    While wine and rugby might share adjectives like robust and smooth, when they do, it is purely accidental and in my opinion, the ultimate wi...
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    Spring

    A New Season for Tourism?

    September in South Africa is about a new season, new life and hope. Last year in September, we were going onto Level 1 of Covid regulations,...
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    Family cooking at home. Grandmother and child have fun. Making Italian food and meal in cozy kitchen

    Price – pointless or very powerful

    Some things are priceless, but for most of the others... price is pretty important. As one of the four P's of marketing, price is a deciding...
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    Wine cellars

    The Timelessness of Wine

    Much of wine’s romance lies in its age. Wine is predominantly vintage-specific. Each year has a unique character depending on the growing ...
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    Athlete passing relay baton

    Lessons from the Olympics

    We often use sport metaphors in our everyday vocabulary. Around a boardroom table, we easily refer to dropping the ball, levelling the playi...
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    Group of people toasting wine at party

    The How of Experience

    Much has been said about the importance of creating an experience around your brand. On this platform, I've even called experience the fifth...
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    UK supporters with flag

    Getting Together

    In a recent CNN clip about the reopening of restaurants "post"-Covid, chef Yotam Ottolenghi is quoted to say that restaurants are about brin...
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    bastille 2021

    Revolutions and Celebrations

    Although it is Covid that prevents the Franschhoek Valley's traditional Bastille festivities this week, isn't there something almost uneasy ...
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    Business woman stops a chain fall like domino game toy. Concept of preventing crisis and failure in business

    What We Can Control

    Two regular culprits are making the headlines again this week. While Covid is taking us to unfortunate new heights, our Constitution took a ...
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    Food delivery during covid lockdown

    When you need more than a plan

    Change is part of life and I believe we have to roll with the punches - adapt, adjust, make a new plan. But the level of uncertainty over th...
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    Anonymous guy in medical uniform holding sign with closed writing while standing behind glass in office

    Why Wine Matters

    When the new Covid restrictions were announced last week, the wine industry was concerned about a renewed ban on alcohol. Talking to some fr...
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    Bastille 2020

    The Wine in Your Glass

    Recently someone asked me what it is that makes wine so special. What are we going on about all the time? Why are there specialist wine writ...
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    responsible tourism

    Beyond the Bucket list

    Despite South Africa being amidst its third Covid wave, vaccine programmes worldwide are bringing back some sense of security and one of the...
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    Young courier man riding on delivery scooter with food box. Grocery delivery vector concept. City landscape background. Flat cartoon illustration.

    Business over Politics

    A headline about banks in Hong Kong investing in it's "unique position as a financial gateway to China" despite Beijing's political aspirati...
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    Old wine bottles in a wine-cellar

    Finding a fit for older vintages

    With the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction putting the spotlight on some of South African wine treasures and Tim James addressing the age-wo...
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    Pardus_Portrait_11_New Label

    All about passions and plans

    Remember the five-year plan? Did you dread that question in an interview? While some of us have set goals, for many the idea is vague. Regar...
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    South African Parliament building, Cape Town

    Friends in high places – a lesson from SA Citrus

    At its core - despite fancy branding, old-fashioned snobbery and all the lifestyle associations that come with it - wine is an agricultural ...
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    Traveling with an international certificate of COVID-19 vaccination for German citizens

    A Matter of Urgency

    Between Ramaphosa and Magashula suspending each other and Leo Prinsloo’s Chuck Norris performance, there is little room in the headlines f...
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    Sales man helping a customer buying wine

    How about a Supermarket Sommelier?

    My weekly blog gives me an opportunity to share my thoughts and opinions and often a response or reaction to what I put out there inspires a...
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    Close up, Pink flower growing on crack street sunset background

    Creativity in the Cracks

    A crisis compels you to be creative. There hasn't been a clearer example than Covid forcing us to rethink and reposition. In many instances,...
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    Risk Wood Letters

    Risk, Respect & Ridicule

    The risk of developing a blood clot from your Covid vaccine was a top story this week after some vaccination programmes were halted because ...
    Read More
    2021 Harvest

    Grape Courage

    Among all last year's challenges as well as the worries about our health and the immense pressure on our industry, there was at least one br...
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    big vs small

    Size matters – in the way you think

    A large container vessel that's stuck in the Suez Canal is quite a newsworthy event (read more), but it was pictures of a rescue effort by a...
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    Man proposes four-day week sign. Notepad in hand.

    A four-day work week – fit for all?

    More flexibility when it comes to working hours has been on the agenda for a while. While working remotely has become more acceptable, espec...
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    Aerial view of the port with moored container vessels being loaded in the Ben Schoeman Dock showing the city and Table Mountain, Cape Town South Africa

    Blame Covid, not the Cape Doctor!

    Agriculture is easily affected by the weather and while the technology of today's forecasts combined with farmers’ expertise make it possi...
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    Happy senior couple in love enjoying dinner at luxurious restaurant

    Redefining dining

    The future of fine-dining might be hot news right now, but in reality, the debate is nothing new. As with many other matters, Covid is just ...
    Read More
    Choosing a Bottle of Wine

    Calling on the Consumer

    Tito Mboweni's Budget Speech has been well-received in most circles. Not touching taxes, the Finance Minister dismissed the gloomy forecasts...
    Read More
    Exhausted African American businesswoman with face mask having a headache while sitting in a cafe.

    Tired of Covid?

    Do you feel like everything is being overshadowed by Covid? Do you just want to read about something else? I can't agree more! The problem i...
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    Covid 19 writing on the floor

    A Scapegoat and a Strategy

    Haven't seen someone for a long time? Didn't reach your targets? Left a promise unfulfilled? Covid's lockdown rules and regulations are prob...
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    Man in business shirt playing with toy blocks on wood desk. There are compliance related words printed on the blocks

    The Rule of Law

    This week, former president Jacob Zuma announced that he will defy a constitutional court order to appear before the state capture commissio...
    Read More
    Diverse business people put hands together in pile, top view

    Social Responsibility

    "Covid-19 anywhere is a threat to health everywhere." This quote from Bill and Melinda Gates’ latest annual letter does, however, apply to...
    Read More
    La Motte Harvest

    Harvest-inspired Hope

    We all need something to be positive about. And while the inauguration of US President Joe Biden brought a definite ray of light to America ...
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    Light Bulbs with Critical Thinking Concept

    Critical Thinking – it’s critical!

    No one can be blamed for having an emotional response to the strange times we're living in. But emotion against a background of reason is di...
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    Portrait of boy in superhero mask with his mouth covered with a medical mask to protect himself from viral infections and diseases.

    Bravery in the time of Covid and Coups

    2021 started out completely different to any other New Year that I can remember. The relentless pandemic is still with us and in South Afric...
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    Large emerald ocean wave splashes over the cheerful extreme surfer enjoying his summer vacation in Teahupoo, Tahiti. Amazing shot of young male sportsman surfing a dangerous barrel wave.

    Riding the Wave

    What a ride 2020 has been! Who would have thought that when we went into the initial three week lockdown that similar considerations would s...
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    La Motte - MCC

    Something to Celebrate

    The festive season is here. Under normal circumstances our diaries would be filled with social events, but this year our schedules are quiet...
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    Rodeo Drive street sign

    Luxury Redefined

    One man's luxury might be another's basic requirement. What does the (I would like to say) post-Covid environment look like for luxury brand...
    Read More
    On a yellow background lies an open package, a box with a broken plate

    The fine line between distribution and disappointment

    The world is excited about the first Covid vaccines. How can we not be? After a year of this virus disrupting lives globally, it seems that ...
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    Food and wine on the outdoor table of a restaurant, selective focus.

    Uncomplicated Eating

    I am a self-confessed trend-watcher. I love how our choices are influenced by what is happening in the world and I enjoy seeing how our ever...
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    Happy businesswoman crossing finish line during race.

    Opposition & Opportunity

    With this week's neck and neck election in the US, I have been thinking about the importance of opposition. Competition keeps you on your to...
    Read More
    La Motte Hiking trail

    Get out!

    "We're so nature-deprived that even footage of wilderness lifts our spirits", says Adrienne Matei in The Guardian. While lockdown might hav...
    Read More
    Four Wine Bottles with their labels spelling out the word SALE on a light to dark gray background. Four different wines including: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and White Zinfandel.

    Price – a sensitive issue for all

    The profitability challenges of the South African wine industry is no secret. Even pre-Covid, margins were small for most while making and s...
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    LM Courtyard

    Here’s to Hope!

    It is Spring in the Southern Hemisphere and even though it had a lazy start in South Africa, the oak trees are now covered in those distinct...
    Read More
    A Tram arrive at Rickety Bridge Winery Railway Station, Franschhoek where Tourist take a Wine Tasting Tour

    A Tourist in your own Town

    In 2018 already, the vision of SA Tourism's CEO, Sisa Ntshona, was to stimulate domestic tourism and to create the opportunity for locals to...
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    Back to basics on chalkboard

    Back to Basics

    27 September is World Tourism Day and the theme for 2020 is, Building Peace, Fostering Knowledge. I think it is quite a fitting topic for a...
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    Suitcase on luggage conveyor belt carousel in the baggage claim at airport

    What Tourism Needs

    September in South Africa is more than the start of Spring, the celebration of our heritage diversity and a communal love for the braai, it ...
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    Silhouette man jumps to survive from corona virus, COVID-19. The concept of humankind that must overcome this epidemic crisis. Fight and escape from Covid.

    Survival is on the table – but recovery?

    The SA liquor industry as well as the South African public breathed a collective sigh of relief when Level 2 regulations were announced - an...
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    Hand sketching Lose-Lose situation concept with white chalk on blackboard.

    No One Wins

    Shortly after midnight on 12/13 August 1961, the first barbed wire and bricks of what would become the Berlin Wall were laid down. My remind...
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    Helping hands

    Partnership – the only choice

    It is hard not to be moved by the phenomenal international support for South African wine via social media groups such as SaveSAWine and Mov...
    Read More
    vintage detective smoking

    But the booze keeps flowing…

    Perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise that despite a Government-instated ban on alcohol and cigarettes, there is a roaring black market and whi...
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    protest

    The Power of Protest

    This week, restaurants across South Africa protested the restrictions on trade, introduced by the government's COVID-19 regulations. Althoug...
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    Wine, vineyard and mountain

    A Chilling Week for Wine

    What a week it has been in the Winelands! While the cold weather and snow-capped mountains are what the vine wants, an unexpected reintroduc...
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    Bastille 2020

    Celebrating our French heritage in a new way

    The Franschhoek Bastille Festival is a highlight on the Western Cape social calendar. Each year the town and valley are dressed up in the co...
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    Happy business owner opening the door at a cafe wearing a face mask.

    Two Types for Tourism

    In the middle of winter, when tourism is slow in the Cape Winelands, the Franschhoek Valley celebrates its Huguenot heritage with a popular ...
    Read More
    Rosé

    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...
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    Delivering food ordered online while in home isolation during quarantine. Stay home we deliver sign on box.

    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...
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    Man buying beer in the supermarket

    Cry Wolf about Wine

    After only a week of being open for post lockdown liquor sales, on Monday, 8 June a rumour about the ban on alcohol being reinstated, saw th...
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    LL takeaway packs

    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...
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    New style greetings in quarantine

    A Social Experiment

    We're living in strange times. Whether you had to survive lockdown on your own or had to cope with your family 24-7, Covid-19 has not only c...
    Read More
    Senior couple on their 70s wearing a protective face mask picking up the shopping box that granddaughter is delivering in times of COVID-19, she is wearing mask and gloves.

    For the Community, by the Community

    Early in April, Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said: “To defeat Covid-19 is no longer an issue of a nurse and a doctor; it is actual...
    Read More
    Portrait of a beautiful woman at a cellar enjoying a wine tasting

    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...
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    “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
    Customers on porch of traditional South African greengrocer's store

    Learning about Localism

    Have you heard about localism? Times of crisis have the ability to highlight things that have already been troublesome for a while. When mon...
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    Beautiful young couple drinking wine while sitting on the kitchen floor at home

    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
    Cropped shot of a businessman looking stressed in the officehttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pu/shoots/805117.jpg

    Gathering one’s thoughts in uncertain times

    My father-in-law used to say that we have to make time to think. Thinking can bring perspective, insight and ideas. Time to think is a moder...
    Read More
    Work at home

    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
    La Motte Cellar

    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
    Solution Concept

    Invention in a time of crisis

    Times are tough. There is no denying that 2020 has turned out to be a bigger challenge than anticipated and the COVID-19 pandemic and its gl...
    Read More
    Informed

    The importance of being informed

    I believe it is important to have an opinion. I even like to share mine on this blog every week! And while an opinion is not a text book or ...
    Read More
    Sustainability Chart

    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
    One Trick Pony

    A one-trick pony budget?

    Expectations were all but rosy when it came to Tito Mboweni's 2020 Budget speech. According to most experts, there was but one trick and tha...
    Read More
    Researcher Examining Grape Vine Leaves

    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

    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
    Aerial view Top speed with beautiful wave of container ship full load container with crane loading container for logistics import export or transportation concept background.

    Free Trade – the Pros & Cons

    Free Trade is an important consideration for anyone in the global trading environment and with Brexit and the USMCA top of mind, the focus i...
    Read More
    Basketball silhouette

    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
    The happy emotions of men and women having good time on a roller coaster in the park.

    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
    Group of Mathematics Students at their Class room

    Education – keep it real

    Social media platforms are flooded with pictures of learners starting the new school year. In a country where education is invaluable to aff...
    Read More
    Hand holding light bulb in front of global show the world's consumption with icons energy sources for renewable, sustainable development.

    Care enough to Change

    "I don't care anymore. I'm joking, I never did", says Ricky Gervais in his provocative Golden Globes welcome, but if there is one thing we n...
    Read More
    Healthy vegan super bowl in hands of woman at home

    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
    Wing of airliner over Cape Town, South Africa, with Table Mountain and beautiful sunset

    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
    Middle age hoary senior man wearing Christmas hat over isolated background clueless and confused expression with arms and hands raised.

    Jolly vs Junk

    The festive season is upon us and 'tis the season to be jolly... but if we consider the economic outlook for South Africa, I'm afraid there ...
    Read More
    first place on cooking contest. illustration design

    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
    Bottles of champagne are being racked in a dark cellar

    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
    everything for everyone

    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
    rwc.jpg rs

    Rassie, Ramaphosa and Reality

    What a triumph for the whole country when Kolisi lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy! In the afterglow we see potential - in each other and...
    Read More
    uncertainty

    Radical Uncertainty

    In a time when we have more access to information than ever before, is it not ironic that uncertainty is still one of our biggest challenges...
    Read More
    Older Wiser

    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
    Algorithms

    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
    storytelling

    “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

    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...
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    culinary heritage.jpg rs

    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
    Pierneef a La Motte Sunday Family Lunch 3

    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
    Millennial golfers.jpg lr

    A Generation for Golf

    We might feel like we had enough of Millennial trends, but they affect our world in ways we did not see coming. Take golf for instance. Last...
    Read More
    red wine sushi

    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
    connections

    Connect!

    I love playing golf. I like the outdoors, the competitive sport environment and of course the people I meet on the course. I like how the ga...
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    womens day.jpg rs

    Dare I say, Happy Women’s Day?

    We do not need Mother's Day to cherish our mothers or Valentine's Day to love our partners, but we often enjoy the fun and gesture at the he...
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    The Power of Preparation

    I just completed my own version of the Tour de France with the HotChillee London to Paris cycle tour. What a highlight this has been for me!...
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    Sharing is Caring

    There is safety in structure. An established business model offers guidance, best practice and experienced leadership to guide business vent...
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    Why Vegan?

    Veganism is one of 2019's top trends. With the number of vegans said to be increasing by 160% over the last decade and with 25% of Americans...
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    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...
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    Dare to Dream

      President Ramaphosa received a lot of criticism for sharing his dreams for South Africa in his latest State of the Nation address,...
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    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...
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    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...
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    The Weakest Link

    Watching the Protea Cricket team's performance in the Cricket World Cup was like watching a scene from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Almost t...
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    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...
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    Attitude for an A-team

    South Africa's new parliament and the announcement of Ramaphosa's cabinet are receiving much media attention. Other than a political agenda,...
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    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...
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    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...
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    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...
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    Election promises and employment possibilities

    In an election year, promises of job creation always take centre stage, especially in a country like South Africa where unemployment is at u...
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    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...
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    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...
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    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...
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    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...
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    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...
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    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...
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    Business lessons from the Budget Speech

    "If you ran your household finances like government runs the country’s money, your bank would shut your accounts faster than you could say...
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    Doing it with Data

    Data has become part of our everyday vocabulary. Much more than research data, it has become the access to our online life and also the info...
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    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,...
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    A glass half full: Insights & Interesting Ideas about SA wine in 2019 #VinproDay

    With uncertainty about land reform and a lack of economic growth, it is easy to be negative about the bigger picture for South African wine ...
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    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...
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    What to expect from 2019

    At the pace technology develops and changes our world, forecasts quickly turn into reality and society is struggling to keep up. While I lov...
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    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...
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    Trade & Travel

    Whether it really saves you money is debatable, but there is something very alluring about duty free shopp...
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    Time for Trends

    Sometimes the truly great and talented are not recognised in their own lifetimes.  Sometimes they are plainly ahead of the times and ahead ...
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    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...
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    Protecting your brand

    There might be something flattering about having your brand copied, but other than stealing from your sales volumes, counterfeits take your ...
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    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...
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    A new way to wine

    Drinking and driving is a big issue - not only from a road safety perspective but also because of our public responsibility. This is of cour...
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    Control!

    Listening to conversations around the office and among my friends, I often hear people complaining about being "overwhelmed" or "not being i...
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    To be a leader, first show up

    Lead, Mentor, Think, Serve, Show Up! - some of the core elements from Dr Wendy Luhabe's address on Leadership and economic empowerment this...
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    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...
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    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 ...
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    Brics – the right building blocks

    Technology and trends have a very important impact on how we do business. But in an interconnected environment, they also strongly impact on...
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    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...
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    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...
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    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 ...
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    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...
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    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...
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    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. ...
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    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...
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    Family and Business – a good mix

    Education and skills development are major challenges in South Africa. Making education accessible and affordable is a burning point and hav...
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    A stand-off: Experience vs Product

    Experiential marketing is a trending concept and for many brands the customer experience can become the main focus. Does this mean product h...
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    Making the most of mobile

    Access to the internet and instant availability of information have become the order of the day. And although not everyone has access to Wi...
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    Finding Freedom

    27 April is Freedom Day in South Africa, celebrating the first democratic elections that happened on this day in 1994. But have we really ac...
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    Tourism – make it easy!

    Exploration is an ancient desire - from the time of the Vikings to Bartolomeu Dias and Christopher Columbus. In today's world, many of us ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    Agriculture vs Land

    Agriculture plays a crucial role in the South African economy, especially when it comes to food security and job creation. But will this in...
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    Tourism – a demand for innovation

    Peter Drucker's "Business only has two key functions: marketing and innovation", is very relevant for the tourism industry. With ITB Berlin ...
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    Paying for our sins

    Sin Tax - a tax for the sinful. But is it to punish us for our worldly enjoyment or only to add to the state coffers? Does it really encoura...
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    Loyalty – a new definition for brand and business

    We are amidst the Chinese New Year Festival and 2018 being the year of the Dog, the concept of loyalty is on the table. But does loyalty sti...
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    The Customer – your new partner in business

    "The Customer is always right" - a truth we have learned from our grandparents. But in today's digital world, the status of the customer is...
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    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...
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    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 ...
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    2017 – A Review

    2017 was an interesting year in many respects. Donald Trump had to walk the walk while Zuma was walking a tight rope. Planet earth had to en...
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    Advancing our thoughts on the Fourth Industrial Revolution

    The fourth industrial revolution is upon us. Robots and computers will dramatically change the employment landscape in the next five to eigh...
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    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...
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    The New Selling – more science than skill

    Selling has become more science than skill. No longer is it only about the quality of the product, the strength of the brand, the size of...
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    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...
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    Minding the Middleman

      Growing-up in a small agricultural community, I recall listening to many conversations about the monstrosity that is the middleman...
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    Why Special Economic Zones?

    Wine of Moldova Airport – yes, that is the winning name in a new name survey for Moldova’s Chisinau International Airport, Meininger.de ...
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    At Last, A Strategy for SA Wine Tourism

    Wine tourism is a subject close to my heart. Not only does it support job creation, education and upliftment in small communities, it also e...
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    Addressing the Disconnect

    June, 16th is Youth Day in South Africa. This sad day in 1976 saw the death of school children, but highlighted the plight of the South Afri...
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    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...
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    Brexit’s Significance for SA Wine Exports

    Just recently we have seen the dramatic influence politics can have on the economy. Soon after President Zuma’s midnight cabinet reshuffle...
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    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...
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    Business lessons from the VOC

    We just returned from Europe and as always, being among the age-old buildings awakens a sense of history in me. This time around, a visit to...
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    Plans for Africa! #WEFAFRICA2017

    This week, Durban played host to the World Economic Forum on Africa 2017. This international organization is committed to improving the s...
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    Influencers – Calling for Action

    If you find yourself in marketing and PR meetings from time to time, you would have been confronted with the word “influencer”. As with ...
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    What Makes a Good Leader?

    After last night’s drastic reshuffling of the South African cabinet (read more), one of the things that I have always found interesting is...
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    Storytelling – the Essence of Wine Marketing

    “A good distinction is that a product is something people buy for its functional benefits, whereas a brand they buy for emotional benefits...
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    Sustainability – it Makes Business Sense

    Sustainability is a loaded term that can be used in a myriad of contexts. As farmers and wine producers, sustainability is especially import...
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    Customer is King and it is a Good Thing

    Customer is King – an old saying that has never been more true than now! While the one-on-one customer service of the old days might be so...
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    Mining vs Agriculture – Now a Bit Closer to Home

    While we have always known about the threat mining holds for the grain producing areas of South Africa (read more), we were recently reminde...
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    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...
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    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...
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    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...
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    In 2017 – Take Your Experience Virtual!

    January is the month for trend forecasts and I always try to keep my finger on the pulse as to what is indicated for the new year – whethe...
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    2016 – The Bad and the Good

    2016 was a bad year. Friends on Facebook, influencers on Twitter and newspaper headlines agree. Terror attacks, the Zika virus, celebrity de...
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    Exports vs Job Creation

    I listened to a radio talk show (Listen to the Afrikaans podcast) earlier this week discussing what happened in the economy since Donald Tru...
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    Marketing Lesson From the US Election

    This week saw the long-anticipated US presidential election and the surprise victory of Donald Trump. Now that might be enough of a surpr...
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    It Is! It Is!! It Is!!! Strong Sentiment on Customer Service.

    The legend of Italy’s wine region with the peculiar name of Est! Est!! Est!!! begins with a bishop who on his way to Rome, sent a servant ...
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    Why the Proposed Liquor Bill Should Stay a Proposal

    If it was not such a serious matter, acclaimed wine writer, Michael Fridjhon’s article on South Africa’s draft liquor bill would definit...
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    In Memory of Franschhoek CEO, Jenny Prinsloo

    A week ago, the Franschhoek Valley was shocked by the untimely death of Jenny Prinsloo, the CEO of Franschhoek Tourism, and a much-loved and...
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    Innovation vs the Basics

    At last week’s Adams & Adams WineLand Seminar, innovation was one of the key focus areas. To such a degree that participants were disc...
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    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 ...
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    Are We Searching for a Hero?

    I am no political commentator but I have always been interested in what is happening in politics and especially the impact politicians and w...
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    Making a Difference – Where it Matters

    I have just returned from a wonderful golf day and auction in aid of the Make A Difference Leadership Foundation – also known as MAD. The ...
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    On War and Wine

    It might be because modern media is so immediate, but it seems that terrorism has become much more a reality than in the past. It used to be...
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    Economic Partnerships, Brexit, Local Consumption and their Influence on the SA Wine Industry

    This week I was invited to a discussion on the importance of the recent EU free trade agreement for the SA wine industry. The discussion was...
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    A New Perspective on Being Seasonal and Regional

    During our recent tour of Europe, we had lunch at Noma. It has been an experience we have been looking forward to – one that was overdue a...
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    Brexit and Weather (!) and their Impact on History

    Napoleon and his French army was just about invincible – until the Russian winter stepped in for a dramatic historic event, eventually res...
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    Distribution is King

    Article by Lucille Botha, published in Landbouweekblad (South African agricultural magazine), 10 June 2016. (Translated to English from orig...
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    The Opportunity and Threat of Being Successful Online

    This week at Vinexpo Hong Kong, I was privileged to be in conversation with some great minds in the wine world: Robert Joseph, Philippe Guig...
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    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 ...
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    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 wi...
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    Inspired by the Black Knight

    Most of us have someone we admire. Some we respect, others we adore. It can be someone as close as a family member or a public figure you ha...
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    Trends, Fads and their Influence on the Economy

    What I love about Economy as a subject, is that it is about so much more than money. It is about people. What happens in the economy is infl...
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    Humanity and Cooperation – The Suggestions of Great Leaders

    Humanity and Cooperation – the suggestions of great leaders As part of our cooperation with Chinese partners, Perfect China, we have de...
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    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...
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    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...
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    The Importance of Women – In and For Business!

    From Cleopatra to Queen Elizabeth I – there are a host of women who have made a significant contribution to history. Women who are industr...
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    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...
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    A Great Start to 2016!

    Sometimes things just come together. This was one of those weeks. Not only is one of the wine industry’s annual highlights, the Cape Wi...
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    Education in the Winelands – How to Support This Important Cause

    I am so excited about the opportunities the wine industry can create for local communities when it comes to job creation and education. That...
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    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...
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    Wishing You Online Sales Success in 2016!

    At the Franschhoek MCC Conference a month ago, Pier2Pier, a digital company with expertise in online marketing and sales explained why wine ...
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    The Weak Rand – Trying to Find a Positive

    Finance Minister Nene’s unexpected dismissal by President Jacob Zuma is talk of the town… and the country. And while the Rand has hardly...
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    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. ...
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    The Business of Black Friday

    It is hard to ignore Black Friday. Around every corner and on every possible media device, you are confronted with special offers that are a...
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    Strategic Growth Required in the SA Wine Industry

    My Insights on Finweek Article “The local wine industry is running the risk of producing too low volumes over the next three years, espec...
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    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...
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    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...
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    What Winning the World Cup and Planning Your Finances Have in Common!

    The Rugby World Cup has been the topic of conversation in my circle of friends over the last few weeks and being passionate rugby supporters...
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    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...
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    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...
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    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. ...
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    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...
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    Classification – An Industry Responsibility

    Wine ratings have always been controversial, regardless of whether it is done by an official tasting panel, wine competition judges or wine ...
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    The Value of An Online Community

    The closure of large UK retailer, Tesco‘s online wine community is all over the news today and I have to admit that I am surprised at this...
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    Assets Vs Interface – The New Face of Success

    Success used to be measured in assets. And although the landscape has been changing for a while, nothing made it more real for me than Tom G...
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    Greece – Weathering the Storm Most Graciously

    So while Greece and its economy are making headlines all over the world, we just happen to be on a long-awaited holiday on the Greek islands...
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    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...
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    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 ...
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    Wineland Blank Slate Article: “Free Trade, Sa Needs Government Support”

    My thoughts on Free Trade agreements appeared in the April issue of WineLand magazine. “There is no denying the wine industry’s impor...
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    Experience – Essential to Marketing and Learning

    This week a group of Burgundy Exchange students for this year’s Certificate in International Wine Trade (CIWT) visited La Motte Estate in ...
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    Natural Disasters and Their Impact on Tourism

    With tragic images of the effect of the earthquake in Nepal all over the news one feels for those who have lost loved ones or got seriously ...
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    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...
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    Tired of Terroir?

    Doing my early morning news scan, I saw this article on how the trend towards terroir-driven wines is growing in California. It was my exact...
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    Golf and Business – How to Get the Perfect Mix

    Our business partners from Perfect China and their best performing sales representatives joined us in South Africa this week. Our joint vent...
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    Smoke and Vegetation and Their Influence on Wine

    The past week, beautiful Cape Town suffered the relentless destruction of veld fires. Starting in Muizenberg last weekend, only today did Ca...
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    Why Measure

    This week I met with my management teams to measure our brands’ performances and evaluate our strategies. Once again, I realised the im...
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    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 ...
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    Time Zones for South Africa – Pro’s and Con’s

    While Eskom’s load shedding and daily schedule of power outages is still the number one topic of conversation in South Africa, it has been...
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    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...
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    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...
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    Trend Forecast For 2015

    While every second blog and article at this time of year look at trends, I can’t resist also sharing a few thoughts on the subject – the...
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    hein

    Blog Highlights For 2014

    Another year has come and gone! It goes so quick that it is only when we reflect that we realised that we did indeed have 365 days in 2014! ...
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    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...
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    Lifestyle 018

    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, ...
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    ppp

    Purchase Power Parity and The World’s New Largest Economy

    The health of the Chinese economy is very important to us as a substantial part of our marketing efforts are focused on selling wine in Chin...
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    Free Trade Agreements – Not A Free for All

    A landmark free trade agreement between China and Australia was big news this week. As with all such agreements, there is an air of optim...
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    Building A Successful International Wine Brand

    Earlier today I shared a few thoughts with the Vlerick Alumni group from Belgian on what we have done to create successful international win...
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    yamazaki

    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 ...
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    ebola virus in india

    Discouraging Tourist Destinations

    Being passionate about South Africa and the Winelands and what we have to offer tourists, I never hesitate to share my thoughts on what make...
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    cruise wine 4

    The Future Potential of Chinese Cruise Liners

    According to BreakingTravelNews.com, Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company, has signed a memorandum of understanding wi...
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    mint1

    Conserving the Legacy of The Leopard in Gold!

    What I love about the wine industry, is the opportunity it has given me personally to get more involved with two other interests of mine, ed...
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    family

    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...
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    afrika kos

    Agriculture – The Foundation of Development in Africa

    Africa’s constant struggle with famine is a well-known fact and the importance of agriculture in the provision of food, creating jobs and ...
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    napa earthquake napa barrel care

    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...
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    consumption

    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...
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    Grapes In Glass

    Terroir Importance Questioned

    Just when you think a low fat diet will ensure longevity, a professor comes along and preaches high fat for the same result. While in South ...
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    hist warehouse

    Proudly Bottled in South Africa – Eu Tariffs Positive for Job Creation in SA

    The news of successful negotiations between SADC (Southern African Development Community) and the EU that improves access to the EU market f...
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    Krugerrand Lion Head Gold Bar GACC reflection

    Tourism – South Africa’s “New Gold”

    On Wednesday, newly appointed Tourism Minister, Derek Hanekom addressed Parliament saying that bold new initiatives are needed to further gr...
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    Die Burger artikel

    Leaders Shape Leaders Through Thinking and Mentorship

    Last week I chatted to Samarie Smith of Die Burger, the Afrikaans daily in the Western Cape. Here is the English translation. Leaders ...
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    wine robbery

    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...
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    commandeurs

    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...
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    vrou shop

    The Buying Power of Women – A Force to Be Reckoned With!

    For most of us men, women and their spending habits is a subject safer to steer away from. But, I read this interesting blog Does your brand...
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    blog keep customers sold cartoon

    Customer Focus – An Integrated Marketing Approach

    The Drinks Business today published an article on the Top 10 Tips for Marketing Drinks Brands. In the introduction, writer Joanna Davies ...
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    La Motte Summer Landscape

    Tourism Supports Foreign Investment in The Winelands

    This week’s Landbouweekblad (an Afrikaans agricultural magazine), reports that since October 2013, 42 farms to the value of approximately ...
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    Hein

    Brand Only as Strong as Its Distribution

    Fin24 asked me a few questions and I thought to share the article. Brand only as strong as its distribution Hein Koegelenberg is not o...
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    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...
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    NED

    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). ...
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    product placement

    Status, Celebrity and Product Placement – Still Selling in China.

    Next week we will host 240 delegates from the Perfect China Sales Team in the Cape Winelands to introduce them to the beautiful new cellar a...
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    brad pitt 600

    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...
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    cape wine auction

    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...
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    The Cape Wine Auction s2

    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...
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    China Open Door

    Opening the Door to China – Presentation to Wharton School

    This afternoon I am speaking to delegates from the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Penns...
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    6a01156f911114970c01a3fcc777e1970b 400wi

    Social Media in China – A Challenge We Cannot Ignore

    Both for my personal use and for our companies, we have embraced Social Media – or New Media as we like to call the very much integrated m...
    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...
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    Wine

    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 ...
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    6a01156f911114970c01a3fbf08258970b 400wi 1

    The Millennials – Worth Another Look

    At the end of last year, I had a look at the various generations from Baby Boomers to the Millennials. We tried defining them and looked at ...
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    wine

    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...
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    Hein

    Hein On Wine – 2013’s Blog Highlights

    I knew that it would happen, but writing my last blog for the year, I can’t believe how quickly 2013 has gone by. It seems hard to believe...
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    Hein

    Festive Blessings

    Wishing you a very blessed Christmas! May this special time of year be filled with family and friends and may you enjoy love and peace an...
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    trends

    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

    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...
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    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...
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    wine trends

    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...
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    Baby Boomers

    Baby Boomers

    Last week, encouraged by my birthday, I looked at generations, trying to understand the various groups and their supposed identities. Being ...
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    featured 1024x640

    Certainty Certified

    When asked about the importance of certification on a label, he said: “How are you going to relay that message to the customer? Put it on ...
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    wine

    Do You Get Worked Up Over Mark-Ups?

    Yesterday I retweeted this interesting article, The world’s most marked-up wines. Mark-ups are renowned for getting both suppliers and ...
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    6a01156f911114970c011570e4cc0f970c 75hi

    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 ...
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    6a01156f911114970c011571d99b0d970b 75hi

    Delegation of Almost 750 Chinese Guests Welcomed to The Cape Winelands

    Perfect Wines of South Africa, a joint venture that was formed in 2011 between Hein Koegelenberg of Leopard’s Leap and Perfect China in Ya...
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    featured3

    Marketing Wine in China

    China’s premium Fine Wine & Liquor Magazine published an interesting article on how the Spanish wine industry is approaching the Chine...
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    featured2 2

    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...
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    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...
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    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 ...
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    brands

    Famous Brands, Logos and Slogans

    I came across this website listing what they see as the world’s most famous logos and it made me think about what makes a recognisable bra...
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    featured 5

    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...
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    Business in South Africa

    South Africa is known as a tourist destination and of course tourism also plays an important role in the local economy. Last week we had a l...
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    featured 6

    China and South Africa Capitalising on Brics Summit

    The Brics summit is stealing the headlines this week and a number of very important bilateral trade deals between South Africa and China hav...
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    graph

    South Africa In Brics

    At the end of last week Business Day Live reported on South Africa’s negotiations to host the BRICS bank. “It is hoped the bank, with...
    Read More
    Harvesting

    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...
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    Vineyard

    South African Vintage Expectations For 2013

    The South African 2013 harvest has started in all earnest and I had a look at the growing conditions and early expectations for this vintage...
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    Trend Talk

    This year for some reason I have taken much more notice of what is forecasted for the year ahead – mainly in my areas of interest of cours...
    Read More
    Blessing of the Harvest at La Motte

    Blessing of the Harvest at La Motte

    With La Motte’s winemaking and cellar team at our Blessing of the Harvest this morning. We have started the 2013 Harvest with Pinot Noir a...
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    Trend Talk

    Perhaps it is because these days we share information so much easier via Social Media, but this year I am more aware of “trend-talk” tha...
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    Festive Wishes - Hein On Wine

    Festive Wishes

    Best wishes for a very blessed Christmas and a Festive Season filled with peace and love. May this time of year remind us of those things th...
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    Chinese Wine Market

    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...
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    SA Wine Faces International Challenges in 2012

    December is here and now 2012 is really rushing to its end. I am interested in how the SA Wine Industry has performed this year and this wee...
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    Welcoming China to the Wine Lands

    Welcoming China to the Winelands

    Our focus on selling wine in China has been a regular topic in my blogs and while volumes are growing, it remains a difficult task. The aver...
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    2009

    With two of our 2009 La Motte red wines currently performing very well and with my count of 25 of the 2012 Top 100 wines in SA being from th...
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    Making the New Media Landscape Work for Your Brand

    Social media has become such a part of everyday life. Gone are the days where a company’s website was its only direct communication channe...
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    Pie Chart

    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

    Richemont Report Reaffirms Importance of Asian Market for Luxury Goods

    At the Richemont AGM held in Geneva yesterday, sales for the five months ending 31 August 2012 was announced to have increased by 23% (actua...
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    Leopard’s Leap Case Study

    Leopard’s Leap Case Study

    The Leopard’s Leap case study presentation that I gave at the Winebiz Conference on the marketing and sales of wine. http://www.slidesh...
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    Chinese Winemakers Call For Probe into Eu Imports

    Interesting article in the Want China Times about Chinese winemakers having filed a complaint to their Ministry of Commerce to demand an inv...
    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...
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    Wine Cellar

    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

    Putting China in Perspective

    Management consultancy Accenture recently released a paper about Western companies needing to commit the required resources to succeed in Ch...
    Read More
    Children’s Art Exhibition

    Children’s Art Exhibition at Dennegeur

    I recently had the privilege of attending an exhibition of children’s art at Dennegeur in Franschhoek. Dennegeur is a modern village built...
    Read More

    The Bordeaux Tomorrow Plan

    During my recent trip to France as part of the Commanderie de Bordeaux I was briefed on a strategy put together by the Bordeaux wine industr...
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    Bordeaux’s Plan for Tomorrow

    During my recent visit to France as part of the Commanderie de Bordeaux, a global grouping of wine lovers interested in the development and ...
    Read More
    Twitter To Verify Age for Alcohol Brands

    Twitter To Verify Age for Alcohol Brands

    Making sure that alcohol marketing reaches people of a legal drinking age is a major challenge for alcohol brands in the social media space....
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    Chinese wine consumers

    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...
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    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
    Gala

    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. T...
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    Growth

    How First Growths Have Fared In 2012

    Liv-ex, the London-based fine wine exchange, recently reported on how First Growths have fared in 2012 and it has been a downward trajectory...
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    China ‘Fine Tuning’ Economic Policy

    Vintners looking to import into China need to be aware of the Chinese economy. Li Daokui, a former advisor to the People’s Bank of China a...
    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...
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    Cooking With Peter Tempelhoff at Liam Tomlin Food

    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 ...
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    wine trade agreement

    Business Day Coverage of Call for Wine Trade Agreement With China

    South African financial newspaper Business Day carried an article today about my call for the South African government to conclude a wine tr...
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    Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012

    Insights from Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012

    The meetings and seminars continue to underscore the importance of China as an export destination for the world’s wines as well as provide...
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    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...
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    The Team at Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012

    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...
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    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 ...
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    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...
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    Leopard’s Leap Is Winery of the Month

    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...
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    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
    Food 24 visits La Motte

    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. ...
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    Amur leopard

    Population of World’s Most Endangered Leopard Grows in China

    The WWF recently sent out a press release that please me both because of the long association that Leopard’s Leap has with the protection ...
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    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...
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    Alcohol Marketing Restrictions in Europe

    I recently blogged about potential legislation in South Africa restricting alcohol marketing and legislation. This legislative development i...
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    Commanderie De Bordeaux Investiture and Tasting

    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...
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    Family Collection Chenin Blanc

    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 ...
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    Us Wine Industry

    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...
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    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...
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    Sustainable Farming Practices

    La Motte’s Sustainable Farming Practices

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNENrmpCl8E Wine.co.za recently featured La Motte in an article about sustainable wine farming that also i...
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    Leopard’s Leap harvest outlook

    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...
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    The Drinks Business Green Awards 2012

    We are very honoured to have La Motte nominated in two categories at this year’s The Drink Business Green Awards, namely Green Company Of ...
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    Screen Shot 2013 12 11 at 18.48.17

    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...
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    South African Harvest 2012

    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

    Social Media Is a Serious Business Tool

    As most readers of this blog will, social media is a communication tool for La Motte, Leopard’s Leap and Liam Tomlin Food. Many other bran...
    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

    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

    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
    Tsinghua University

    Partnership With Tsinghua University in China

    On behalf of La Motte and Leopard’s Leap Wines, I recently signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s famous Tsinghua University ...
    Read More
    Visit by CEO of Perfect China

    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

    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

    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
    2012 South African Harvest

    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

    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
    La Motte and Top Billing

    La Motte and Top Billing

    La Motte has just been filmed for inclusion in an upcoming Top Billing show. It was great to host the Top Billing team at La Motte. In the p...
    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

    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

    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
    Champagne

    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

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