August 2023

Winery: Aslina

Wine Maker: Ntisiki Biyela

Winery Location: Stellenbosch

Varietal(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon;

Vivino Score: 4.0/5.00

Retail Price: R265.00

Notes in the wine:

Ntsiki grew up in Mahlabathini, a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal, and matriculated from high school in 1996. Having spent a year as a domestic worker, she was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking at Stellenbosch University in 1999.

She graduated in 2003 with a BSc in Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) and joined boutique winery Stellekaya as their winemaker the following year.

The Aslina brand is in recognition of her grandmother who helped her achieve her dream of wine-making

A full-bodied wine with hints of minty characters, cigar box and lots of dark fruits. Bold palate with chewy tannins

Food pairing: rump steak, done low over the coals accompanied with grilled green vegetables and
potatoes (preferably roasted over the coals in foil)

Winery: La brie

Winemaker: Irene Waller

Winery Location: Franschhoek

Varietal(s): 100% Syrah

Vivino Score: 3.90/5.00

Retail Price: R245.00

General Manager and Winemaker Irene Waller, who was originally a maths and accounting teacher, gave it all up to follow her wine dream. After gaining experience in France and Australia, Irene returned to South Africa and studied winemaking at Stellenbosch University. On graduating she was appointed as winemaker at the Graham Beck Winery in Robertson where she remained for 6 years. 

Since coming to La Bri in 2010 Irene’s focus in the cellar is to produce elegant La Bri wines that consumers want to drink and enjoy. 

All grapes are handpicked and stored overnight in a cold room, to protect and preserve fruit freshness.

The Syrah has powerful perfumed aromas of fennel, thyme, rosemary, violet and oregano, much like one would experience whilst strolling through a herb garden.

Food pairing: a cheese platter (leaning to harder cheeses), or try this recipe for Roast lamb studded
with rosemary & garlic, with some buttery mash and spinach wilted in olive oil.

Winery: De Grendel

Winemaker:  Anri Botha

Winery Location: Tulbagh 

Varietal(s): Pinot Noir

Vivino Score: 3.7/5.00

Retail Price: R300.00

This small boutique cellar lies situated in the heart of the historic Tulbagh  valley, also known as the valley of abundance, surrounded by the views of the  majestic Witzenberg- and Winterhoek mountains and the Klein Berg river.

The wine shows red fruit, dark cherries with an underlying chalkiness evident from the soil these vines grow in. The fruit follows through on the elegant and well balanced palate. The wine quality is complimented by the firm and concentrated tannin structure which will allow for further maturation in bottle.

Anri is a gifted writer and is the published author of an anthology of poems, entitled, “Wolfram”.

Food pairing: mushroom risotto

Winery: D’aria

Winemaker: Lutkske Doubell

Winery Location: Durbanville, Cape Town

Varietal(s): 87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon 

Vivino Score: 3.70/5.00

Retail Price: R175.00

Notes on the wine: This is a dry-style Merlot. The varietal expression of ripe plum, red cherry and tomato leaf is complimented by the oak derived sweetness that creates a perfect balance in the wine. This a light red wine with a well-structured tannin. 5-year ageing potential.

Food pairing: Gorgonzola and red onion chutney loaf

Winery: Thistle & Weed

Winemaker: Stephanie Wiid

Winery Location: W/O Western Cape

Varietal(s): 36% Tempranillo, 24% Alicante Bouschet, 18% Touriga Nacional, 8%   Pontac, 7% Souzao, 7% Touriga Franca

Vivino Score: 4.00/ 5.00

Retail Price: R320.00

Notes on the wine: Black nightshade or ‘nastergal’ is a weed producing very ripe, dark purple berries which are hand-selected and used in local cuisine.

For this deliciously dark blend of Tempranillo, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Souzão and Touriga Francesa grapes are blended to ensure plenty of enticing aromas such as mulberries and intense spices are preserved. A big wine ideal for big moments.

Wine runs in Stephanie’s blood – her grandfather was a wine farmer and both parents grew up in Stellenbosch. After matriculating at Parktown Girls High School, she dusted the North off her feet to study Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University. Harvests in Bordeaux and England followed and she completed her MSc Agric in Viticulture, graduating in March 2016.

Food pairing: this wine is a beautiful blend of Spanish and Portuguese grape varietals. Any Iberian
seafood rice dishes as well as a beef or chicken prego, will go wondrously with this wine.

Winery: Ioana

Winery Location: Stellenbosch

Winemaker: Annalie van Dyk

Varietal(s): 79% Shiraz, 21% Tannat

Vivino Score: 4.20/5.00

Retail Price: R325.00

Notes on Wine:

A complex, layered nose with black fruits, leather and spice. The palate is smooth and rounded with velvety tannins and an elegant structure. Luscious black fruits such as blackberries, cherries and plums balance a lively acidity and provide a long-lingering finish.

Annalie grew up in the Cape and studied viticulture and oenology at Stellenbosch University. She spent some time in France’s Loire Valley, living la belle vie and drinking in the old-world charm while working with Sauvignon blanc, Chenin and Gamay.

Food pairing: fresh and wild mushroom stew

Winery: Bartinney

Winemaker: Ronelle Wiid

Winery Location: Stellenbosh

Varietal(s): 100% Chardonnay

Vivino Score: 4.00/5.00

Retail Price: R275.00

The sunshine yellow and slight green undertones of this wine already hint toward the masterful balance of this Chardonnay. This fruit-forward wine leans towards a fresh style with lime, apricot, and green pineapple notes on the nose.

The oak component, presented as wood spice notes, is perfectly integrated and not over-powering and may therefor appeal to a wide range of wine drinkers. Almond notes provide an interesting twist.

On the palate, the subtle sweetness and fresh acidity marries well to result in a very elegant wine. As on the nose, the oak component is well integrated and provides vanilla and coconut notes to offset the fresh and vibrant fruit and almond notes. The texture is velvety and carries through to a long finish.

Ronelle has made wine at Blaauwklippen, Boschendal, and Hazendal.

Food pairing: pesto pasta with pecorino cheese

Winery: Domain Des Dieux

Winemaker: Sharon Parnell

Winery Location: Franschhoek

Varietal(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Vivino Score: 3.80/5.0

Retail Price: R190.00

Grapes are picked in the early morning when their richness of fruit is keenly balanced with vibrant natural acidity and cool green fruit flavours. Careful handling in the vineyard is continued in the cellar where dry ice and cooling are used to preserve the delicate flavours of Sauvignon blanc.

Asparagus notes and ripe fruit aromas are underlined by Sauvignon blanc’s characteristic smokiness on the nose. The palate is rich, but finishes clean and fine-textured. This is the perfect wine for seafood dishes or anything with an underlying richness that just begs for Sauvignon’s clean, dry acidity to liven it up.

Food pairing: ceviche, bruschetta or warm foccaccia.

Winery: Cape Point Vineyards

Winemaker: Riandri Visser

Winery Location: Noordhoek, Cape Town

Varietal(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Vivino Score: 3.80/ 5.00

Retail Price: R200.00

The aim of this wine is to capture Noordhoek in a glass.

This Sauvignon Blanc has a refreshing coastal style, combining elements of white grapefruit and a hint of the floral fynbos from our beautiful surrounds.

The ocean seems to dance in your glass, notes of nori and oyster shell as well as a fresh misty sea breeze that takes you right onto the beautiful Noordhoek beach.

The palate shows elegant layers of fruit with a steely minerality finished off by Cape Point Vineyards iconic naturally fresh and vibrant acidity that creates a long lingering finish.

Food pairing: sushi

Winery: Lemberg

Winemaker: Anri Botha

Winery Location: Tulbagh, Swartland

Varietal(s): Harslevelu

Vivino Score: 4.10/5.00

Retail Price: R150.00

Notes on the wine:

Hárslevelü is a Hungarian varietal. The grape has has become synonymous with Lemberg Wine Estate, in South Africa.

Alternative methods in the making of this wine, including natural fermentation, carbonic maceration and orange winemaking, allowed for an ultra-premium blend of components. It’s delicate citrus and honeysuckle aromas on the nose, with layers of peach, marmalade and almond on the palate.

Inspiration through fermentation. This wine combines the best of both old world and new world winemaking techniques to achieve maximum complexity from a single site vineyard. True to Lemberg tradition, 80% of the wine was oxidatively vinified by natural fermentation in older 500L FO (french oak) wine barrels. A further 15% was vinified by carbonic maceration after which the wine was fermented in a second fill 300L Hungarian oak barrel. Lastly, a minor 5% component of orange wine fermented in a Flex-cube brought the final touches of complexity to this wine. Individual components were aged on the gross lees for 8 months before blending and bottling.

Food pairing: salmon gravadlax

Winery: Aslina

Winemaker: Ntisiki Biyela

Winery Location: Stellenbosch

Varietal(s): 100% Chenin

Vivino Score: 3.80/5.00

Retail Price: R235.00

A pleasant yet rich character wine with robust honeybush tea aromas. The Chenin is delicate and silky on the palate, with supple tannins and succulent yellow pear characters.

As one of South Africa’s iconic winemakers, Ntsiki Biyela has forged a path to become a highly respected and widely admired name in the world of wine. In 2016, she established Aslina Wines, inspired by the strength and determination of the biggest influence in her life, her grandmother. Today Aslina is renowned for its range of premium wines and is the realisation of Ntsiki’s dream to create an exceptional world-class brand.

Ntsiki grew up in Mahlabathini, a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal, and matriculated from high school in 1996. Having spent a year as a domestic worker, she was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking at Stellenbosch University in 1999. She graduated in 2003 with a BSc in Agriculture (Viticulture and Oenology) and joined boutique winery Stellekaya as their winemaker the following year. 

Ntsiki was voted Woman Winemaker of the Year in 2009 and has been the finalist for two consecutive years for The Most Influential Women in Business and Government. In 2017, she was listed in the world’s top 10 most Innovative Women in Food and Drink by Fortune’s Food & Wine.

Food pairing: Chickpea, aubergine, roasted pepper, and goats cheese salad

Winery: Mullineaux

Winemaker: Andrea Mullineaux

Winery Location: Swartland

Varietal(s):  Chenin  

Vivino Score: 3.80/5.00

Retail Price: R145.00

Notes on the wine: The Kloof Street range is all about freshness, balance and great drinkability.

Grapes for the Kloof Street Chenin Blanc come from vineyard parcels on a variety of soils in different parts of the Swartland. The wine is part tank and part barrel fermented.

Pale straw in colour, this wine has a nose of sun ripened pears and wet granite. The palate has a vibrant acidity balanced by a soft, round texture and some pithy character. The wine has a fresh, mineral finish. Best enjoyed young and served at 10 to 12 ˚C.

Food pairing: Thai red curry