As the South African wine industry bid farewell to visitors from 60 different countries in October after visiting one of the best ever editions of CapeWine, the outcomes of South Africa’s largest wine trade show promise to be as great as the event itself.

A total 2 000 guests attended this premier trade showcase of the South African wine industry with a record-breaking 417 exhibiting producers showcasing their wines under one roof, while illustrating 360 degrees of sustainability efforts based on the pillars of planet, people and prosperity.

Together again

“CapeWine is fundamental,” said Bernard Fontannaz, MD of Origin Wine. “Wine is about meeting people. The more we can meet people, the better we are. It’s been four years of starvation since the last CapeWine. It’s rejoicing to see everyone here, and to share, to meet, and to do a bit of business. This is such an important initiative for the wine industry.”

David Sonnenberg, owner of Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate, shared Bernard’s sentiment. “It was such a pleasure to be at CapeWine and it’s great to see everyone so revitalised. It’s the first time in four years that we’re able to showcase our wonderful industry. It’s crucial to show South Africa coming back into prominence. I think the quality of wines we saw have never been better, and it’s something we can be very proud of. This was an opportunity to remind the international market of just how good our wines are.”

A testament to the world

Creating a sustainable future for the wine industry, its people, the land we farm and future generations was a significant theme. Other highlights included the 363 year long history of the South African wine industry.

“The energy and excitement over the three days was testimony to the hard work done by all of the producers to create wines that represent the vibrancy of our nation,” said Wines of South Africa CEO, Siobhan Thompson. “Yes, CapeWine gave the Western Cape a R6 million cash injection, but the excitement about us having wines of high and consistent quality was what certainly stood out. Exciting in that we’re exploring different cultivars, ways of making our wine and looking to regional USPs and collaborations. Our visitors from abroad were positively vocal about how they view us and our future and there is an optimism about SA wine that bodes well for our future growth in international markets.”

Ntsiki Biyela, winemaker and businesswomen who runs Aslina Wines, could not agree more.

“CapeWine is good for us, because it brings international people, buyers, and media together on home soil so that we’re able to spread the word about South African wines and just how beautiful and incredible we are.”

Tim Hutchinson, Group CEO at DBG also felt the excitement and emphasised the importance of such a platform for the future of SA wine. “We’ve been in isolation for so long. You saw the energy at CapeWine with 2 000 guests in three days. We’ve had a lot of Swedes, Canadians, and Americans. We’re super excited. We’ve got to be on the global stage. You know, we can sit in offices all over Europe and sell our wine, but come to the Cape, experience the beauty of our backdrops, our people, it’s priceless.”

Signs of growth

According to Siobhan, the South African wine industry has also made good strides on its transformation journey. “Yes, we still have a long way to go, but we are seeing a new generation of winemakers of colour starting to make their mark, we are seeing more farm ownership and collaborations are taking place. We have a road to travel, but we are seeing the impact.”

This was also recognised by keynote speaker and Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza. “The wine industry is one of the exciting industries of our agricultural sector, with clear and growing results of transformation, both on gender and race,” she said during the opening address.

South Africa’s world class programmes in terms of sustainability also stood out at this year’s event. “Our sustainability initiatives are starting to come to the fore, and we do have some strong programmes and initiatives in place which we need to celebrate and market to the world,” Siobhan concluded.

Telling our stories

A combination of both local and international trade and media guests attended a host of seminars, tastings, and producer events where they could experience a wide range of South Africa’s top wines and learn more about the regions and varietals that make this country’s wine so distinct.

Said Nik Darlington, Marketing Director of Graft Wine Company, “My experience of CapeWine was in stark contrast to my usual visits to the country, where I would wind my way around the winelands relatively leisurely for a week or two, visiting farms and cellars. This was SA wine on fast forward, but given I’d been away for three years due to the pandemic, with all the people to catch up, producers to meet and wines to try, it was just what I needed.

“What with the many fringe events held around Cape Town as well as what was happening in the conference hall itself, even for someone with many years of experience travelling to and working in South Africa, there were new discoveries at every turn.

Above all, whatever perspective you arrived with, or business interest you represented, I strongly believe visitors will have gone away from the fair with a renewed enthusiasm and hope for a wine industry that is world beating in terms of quality, room for growth, and capacity for telling a story that will attract curious wine drinkers around the world. South Africa’s wine producers have had a torrid few years. I don’t think any wine industry was hit as hard by the pandemic. But after a hugely enjoyable and productive CapeWine, I hope the rest of the world has got the message that it’ll take a lot more than a pandemic to knock them off their stride.”

Anders Melldén, wine journalist and lecturer from Sweden shared similar thoughts. “CapeWine has been a fantastic meeting with the real person behind the wine. Or actually, hundreds of those meetings, showing how great this country has developed wine wise in a short time. New regions and classic ones. New wine styles and classic ones – a diversity always with its own soul.”

Contagious excitement

There was no shortage of excitement surrounding CapeWine 2022 said Christopher Waters,

National Wine Columnist for The Globe & Mail. “The passion and resilience of the industry was palpable as participating wineries took full advantage of the opportunity to showcase current (and some well-chosen older) releases and bring visitors up to speed on on-going developments in the winery and vineyard. The quality of wines across the board was impressive, particularly so from site-specific, single vineyard and old vine bottlings that are rightfully being positioned as the driving force of the industry.”

“CapeWine 2022 was my first time back in South Africa since attending CapeWine 2008. I came with high expectations, given my first experience of the show 14 years ago. Like then, the show was very well run, but the amount of progress I found in the wines was simply astonishing,” said Alder Yarrow, Founder and Editor of Vinography and columnist at JancisRobinson.com. “While I’ve seen glimmers of excellence in some wines that I’ve tasted in California, I had no idea just how many thrilling wines were now being made in South Africa. I’m now convinced that there is no more exciting wine region on the planet than South Africa.”

As the doors closed on a truly successful event and visitors return filled with stories about South African wine, the industry still reflects on what was a busy yet exhilarating CapeWine 2022. There’s a renewed enthusiasm to reap rewards in the international trade. The industry has once again positioned itself as a major player in international markets.