Rosemary Mosia
Owner of Bridge Hope Wines
It all started when I visited the winelands 17 years ago. It changed the direction of my life. I was drawn to wines as I was instantly fascinated by the industry, but realised that not only did I want to drink wine, I wanted to make money from it, so I started learning and studying all I could about wine.
Before I started I met with two experts in the industry: Nondumiso Pikashe of Ses’fikile Wines and Thamsanqa Hombana from winemaking company Re’Mogo Holdings. They taught me the business of winemaking. I partnered with farmers to cultivate the grapes as I didn’t have a farm to harvest my own.
My wines comprise of three collections: Classic — light-bodied but flavourful wines to be opened as and when the time beckons! Premium — with a more luscious mouthfeel, more textured and deeper in taste than the classic wines. Reserve — full-bodied wines with integrated oak characteristics and luscious berry flavours.
I am totally involved in the winemaking process from the selection all the way through to production. Our winemaker, JG Auret, has been handcrafting The Bridge of Hope Wines portfolio since 2012, and we’ve always had a great working relationship.
My daughters are part of the business. We all want our daughters to be the real-life superwomen they were meant to be, confident and believing they can accomplish whatever they set their mind to. This industry has always been dominated by the white male demographic, and it was important for me to include [my daughters] in the business because society often relegates females to a role of passivity — awaiting rescue — rather than taking action to determine her destiny.
My daughters and I have had to work twice as hard to get half the recognition. Closing the gender gap in any male-dominated industry is no small feat and breaking ground in SA’s wine fraternity is no exception. But it’s happening.
We’ll be spending Women’s Day celebrating the women we admire. There are many wonderful women doing powerful things, and we can all find ways to support their enterprises. My wish for women this Women’s Day is that they love themselves, know they are beautiful and strong, and remember that a rising tide lifts all boats.
Mosai will be showcasing her wines at the upcoming Women of Wine South Africa Festival in Centurion, which also includes craft beer, gin and spirits, all made by women.
Where: Candlewoods Boutique, Centurion. When: Sunday August 12 from 11am - 4pm. Cost: R150 per person, children under 18 free. Bookings essential via webtickets.co.za