South Africa’s wine industry is steeped in history, but for too long, that history has overlooked the black winemakers reshaping the scene.
As diversity and representation take root in the vineyards, a new generation of Black South African winemakers is bringing bold ideas, unique heritage, and global acclaim to the table. We take a look at these five trailblazers this Africa Month, that are not only crafting exceptional wines but also challenging the status quo of the industry.
Black South African winemakers making waves
1. Ntsiki Biyela, Aslina Wines
- Backstory: Ntsiki Biyela, originally from Kwa-Zulu Natal, was awarded a scholarship to study winemaking at Stellenbosch University in 1999. From there, she joined boutique winery Stellakaya and became one of the first black female winemakers in South Africa. With various collaborations with colleagues in the USA, Ntsiki’s true ambition to create her own wines soon became a reality, with her wine range flourishing today.
- Signature style: Aslina wines focus heavily on working with what nature offers. Their range of wines expresses the unity, strength, and combination of passion, elegance, and vision with which they are crafted.
- Notable wines: 2021 Umsasane, 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2022 Chardonnay
- Where to find a bottle: Find a range of stockists throughout Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban
2. Carmen Stevens, Carmen Stevens Wines
- Backstory: With over 30 years in the wine industry, Carmen was one of the first black females to graduate as a winemaker, and later one of the first to register a 100% black-owned winery in South Africa.
- Signature style: Carmen’s wines pay tribute to the unique attributes that Mother Nature provides each growing season. Each bottle accentuates the positive attributes of each year by displaying these characteristics in full to the wine enthusiast. With each bottle being truly handmade and committed to only using plant-derived additives, to ensure all can enjoy their wines.
- Notable wines: Carménere, Petrichor, and Nemrac
- Where to find a bottle: Shop their range online
3. Antoinette Rapitsi, Redamacy Vineyard
- Backstory: Born in Soweto, Antoinette first embarked on an artistic journey with interior design. But when COVID-19 hit, her world totally changed. She, together with her husband Marc, started mapping out the vineyard in their picturesque valley in Stellenbosch. And their timing couldn’t be any better, with the premium wine scene gaining traction in SA, the pair started their joint venture in creating high-quality wines that symbolise love and togetherness.
- Signature style: Their vineyards benefit from cooler temperatures, sea breezes and coastal terroirs, which bring interesting, complex, and layered notes and aromas to their wines. Their interest in experimenting with malolactic fermentation creates approachable yet layered wines.
- Notable wines: 2023 Vintage Chardonnay and 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Where to find a bottle: Shop their wine range online.
4. Banele Levakele, Thembela Wines
- Backstory: Born in Khayelitsha, Banele’s wine journey started out as a daydream during class, where he would stare at a vineyard across from his school. In 2011, Banele earned a degree in Viticulture and Oenology at the Elsenburg Agricultural College. He went on to spend three years as a member of the Cape Winemaker’s Guild Protégé programme, where he interned at Ernie Else, Groot Constantia, and Savage Wines. He spent some time abroad in Oregon, Burgundy, and Australia learning about biodynamics before returning as the assistant winemaker for Savage Wines, where he started his own winery, Thembela Wines.
- Signature style: Banele is drawn to a more well-rounded and natural ethos in the cellar, highlighting characteristics like spontaneous fermentation, minimal intervention, and strong attention to detail.
- Notable wines: Chenin blanc, Syrah, and Verdelho
- Where to find a bottle: Stay up to date with new vintage releases on his Instagram page.
5. Rangaka Family, M’hudi Wines
- Backstory: The Rangaka family is originally from the North West Province and journeyed to Stellenbosch in 2003, where they became the first black family to own a wine farm in SA. Originally looking for a space to spend more quality time with each other as a family, they eventually left their professional careers behind to make wine full time. M’hudi Wines is a story of a family’s great courage and determination that went against all odds to produce high-quality, great wines.
- Signature style: While learning on the job, with help from friends from all over, their wines tell a story of community, family, and the promise of SA found in townships and across the country to its vineyards, ubuntu.
- Notable wines: M’hudi Boutique Family Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2021, M’hudi Boutique Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, and M’hudi Boutique Family Foro’s Legacy 2021.
- Where to find a bottle: Shop their range online or find a stockist near you here.
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Feature image credit: Pexels
