Fine wines by black women rise
NEW DIMENSION ENHANCES LOCAL PRODUCE
THE emergence of wines crafted by black women is currently generating excitement in the local drinking landscape scene and wine industry.
Not only are these women kicking butt in the male-dominated world of wine, but they are also creating history while simultaneously lending credence to the feminism mantra: “Throw a woman to the wolves and she will return leading the pack.”
Look out for wine labels such as M ’ hudi owned by Malmsey Rangaka, Thembi Wines (Thembi Tobie), Ses ’ fikile (Nondumiso Pikashe), Libby ’ s Pride (Elizabeth “Libby ” Petersen), The Bridge Wines (Rosemary Mosia) and Lathitha (Sheila Hlanjwa).
These women say it has not been easy to come this far in the industry. But the future looks very promising for them what with their wines already stocked at top local chains – and most are already exporting overseas and across the continent.
Other black women are already producing exquisite wines while working for big estates and wine companies as either winemakers or viticulturists.
These women include Ntsiki Biyela of Stellekhaya wines, Natasha Williams and Unathi Mantshongo of Nederburg, Carmen Stevens at Amani and Praisy Dlamini of Zonnebloem.
Most of the black women-owned wine labels were paraded before international tourists at the recent Cape Wine 2015 exhibition held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre by Wines of South Africa which markets South African wines abroad.
Tasting some of the black women-owned wine labels at the Cape Wine 2015 event is an illuminating exercise, showing how these women are working hard to bring a new dimension to the spread of locally produced wines.
Below is a look at some of the wines on the market:
Rosemary Mosia Her high quality red and white wines are categorised by two tiers – premium and medium ranges.
She produces exciting chardonnays under The Bridge label – all delicately balanced by sumptuous fruit, friendly acidity and subtle wood.
Her chardonnay is fresh and thankfully not cloying with oak, a style that has become an anachronism in the world today.
The Bridge Chardonnay 2013 is an elegant number, full of complex flavours, with a hint of melon and buttery notes.
Mosia runs her winery with her twin daughters – Lebohang and Moleboheng.
Thembi Tobie Tobie makes a range of wines – from shiraz, pinotage to chenin blanc. She cherishes the fact that her wines were the first to be listed by Whole Foods in the US in 2007. Her wines are available at Makro stores.
Libby Petersen Libby ’ s Pride Wines crafts six wines bottled from sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, merlot, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and a signature red blend consisting of 50% merlot and 50% shiraz. The blend is irresistible. They are mainly available at Pick n Pay.
Malmsey Rangaka The humble Rangaka family produces M ’ hudi wines from sauvignon blanc, pinotage and merlot at their Cape winelands farm, which also houses the family ’ s bed-andbreakfast business.
The family is excited about new prospects opening up in Lagos, Nigeria, where it is already exporting a consignment of its wines.