Via The Grapevine

11/06/2026

Some wine tastings are about the wine. This one was about the philosophy behind it. If wine could speak, the new releases at Avondale would have plenty to say and every story would be worth listening to

A day at Avondale Wine is a reminder that great wine begins long before the grapes reach the cellar. Guided by the passionate and visionary Johnathan Grieve, we tasted a range of exciting new-release wines, each telling its own story of terroir, sustainability and craftsmanship.

From vineyard to glass, Jonathan's enthusiasm is infectious, and his commitment to working in harmony with nature shines through in every sip. The wines were expressive, elegant and unmistakably Avondale.

As if the tasting wasn't enough, the experience was rounded off with a superb lunch at Faber. Thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented and perfectly matched to the occasion, it was a fitting celebration of farm-to-table dining.

Good wine. Great food. Even better company. Days like these remind you why the Cape Winelands remain one of the world's great wine destinations.

21/05/2026

Not a Shard of sunlight in Cape Town on but lucky for me I was gifted from Tokara Winery and Kruger Family Wines!! I found Sunshine in a glass and... “just one glass” disappeared. 🍷😅

The Tokara Reserve Collection 2024 bringing the polish and precision, while the Kruger Family Wines Old Vines 2023 arrived with depth, character and a little “don’t rush me” energy. You'd be nuts to rush these wines, which is why the Almond Girl Almonds were the perfect pairing 👌🏼

South African Chardonnay really is having a moment isn't it Chardonnay Association South Africa ! And honestly? It deserves the spotlight. 🇿🇦✨

20/05/2026

Next Generation Awards convened by .co.za at the beautiful Vineyard Hotel and wow… the future of South African wine is looking exceptionally bright. 🍷🇿🇦

The awards celebrate emerging winemaking talent under the age of 35, with 59 wines from 27 young winemakers judged completely blind by an expert panel. No labels. No reputations. Just what’s in the glass. And honestly, the standard was extraordinary.

Huge congratulations to the 2026 Top 10:

🏆 Banele Vakele – Tembela Syrah 2025 (Best Overall)
🥈 Richard Schroeder – Groot Phesantekraal Anna de Koning Chenin Blanc 2024 (Runner up)
🍷 Richard Schroeder – Groot Phesantekraal Anna de Koning Chenin Blanc 2025
🍷 Leana Coetzee – Diemersdal Wild Horseshoe Sauvignon Blanc 2025
🍷 Mika Engelbrecht – Neethlingshof Short Story Collection Maria Noble Late Harvest 2025
🍷 Christiaan Nigrini - Welbedacht Skoolblok Steen 2025
🍷 Angus Paul – Staanspoor Syrah 2023
🍷 Kiara Scott Farmer – Hazendal Syrah 2025
🍷 Megan van der Merwe – Beau Constantia Lucca 2022
🍷 Handré Visagie – Stellenbosch 1679 The Legacy 2020

Also, can we take a moment to appreciate that young winemakers now casually produce wines better structured than most people’s retirement plans?

The future of SA wine is looking ridiculously exciting. 🇿🇦🍇

29/04/2026

WINE NEWS!!

After an incredible 28-year journey, Philip van Zyl is stepping down as Editor of the Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide - a moment that marks both an ending and a beautiful new beginning for one of our co...

29/04/2026

DURBANVILLE HILLS LAUNCHES UNFILTERED THURSDAZE

Durbanville Hills is doing something properly fun with wine, and honestly, it’s the kind of experience more estates should be offering.

23/04/2026

BUBBLING WITH EXCITEMENT 🥂
Really looking forward to tasting "A love letter to Africa" from

The House of BNG is the first foray into the world of luxury beverages by Bonang Matheba (Forbes List of 50 Most Powerful Women in Africa 2019, Described as her "love letter to Africa". A passion project, the House of BNG was launched in March 2019 to great success, completely selling out at all stores it was stocked at.
Sourced from the finest grapes of the Cape and blended by acclaimed wine-maker Jeff Grier, the House of BNG MCC's are inspired by Bonang the first black women to become a member of the Cap Classique Producers Association. The brand represents Luxury, Elegance and Premium Innovation.

05/03/2026

https://contest.app.do/tickets-to-darling-whisky-weekend

🎉 Win Tickets to the Darling Whisky Weekend! 🎉We’re giving away 5 sets of 2 tickets to the highly anticipated Darling Whisky Weekend! 🍷🥃To enter:1️⃣ Like and share our page: Darling Whisky Weekend.2️⃣ Answer this simple question in the comments: What is your favorite w...

06/12/2025

Steeped in love, drizzled with joy… and packed with festive magic. 🎄🍒
Chef Mynhardt and his Kitchen Elves are back with their 9th Annual Festive Fruitcake Charity Drive, baking delicious little beacons of hope for kids across SA through Die Burger Kinderfonds.
This year’s mission? 3,000 cakes.
Three. Thousand. Fruitcakes.
Let’s make it happen, one slice of kindness at a time. ❤️
🎂 Order yours:
1kg – R500
2kg – R600
2.2kg Luxury Green Fig – R700
🚚 Courier nationwide: R170
📲 cakemynhardt.co.za | WhatsApp Cedrick: 084 916 4506
Let’s make South Africa sweeter—one festive fruitcake at a time. 🍰✨

07/11/2025

About last night... 2 highlights at Caroline's 2025 White Wine Review that stirred our senses, tantalised our taste buds and had us swinging our votes for OUR best at show!! Obviously, with so many fine wines on offer, it's unfair to single out a best of show, so instead we decided to frame these as Highlights for the above reasons and because they were so different!

✨️The white blend from Thistle & W**d offered up some incredibly precise percentages in the blend with a variety I have never encountered before: Fernão Pires. This white Portuguese grape is grown throughout Portugal and is also known as "Maria Gomes". It's known to produce wines with a spicy aromatic character with intense floral notes. In South Africa, it was initially grown for Brandy production, with some of the oldest blocks found in the Breede River Valley. It was first bottled in South Africa by Van Loveren in 1982.

As a whole, this Verdelho-led white blend offers a medley of aromas that include tangerine, preserved lemon and toasted brioche. The richly layered palate is a delight that is well structured with an acidity that keeps the taste from being too voluptuous and varied. A wine you would be proud to serve to wino friends!!

✨️Then... Miles Mossop has created an enticing old bush vine Sauvignon Blanc that will convert some Sauvvy haters and earn the respect of the rest of them. Why? Because it's class in a glass. It's a layered, lightly wooded white with lemongrass, passionfruit, grapefruit and undertones of freshly cut grass on the nose. On the palate, it delivers a full mouthfeel with flavours of grapefruit and quince jelly. Citrus notes and a mid-palate of toasted almonds lead to a crisp dry finish that leaves you wanting more!

I suppose its popularity was also underpinned by the fact that it was poured by Prince Harry!!! Say what?
That's not Prince Harry?
Of course it was...
Thank you for the recommendation Marguerite Beukes 👌🏼

Thank you Caroline's Fine Wine Cellar for a wine-derful evening of delicious wines and fine revelry 🥂

04/11/2025

TASTE THE VERY FINEST AT CAROLINE’S WHITE WINE & CAP CLASSIQUE REVIEW 🍷✨
Thursday 6 November 2025 | 17h00 – 21h00 | DHL Stadium Members’ Lounge

If you love a good swirl, sniff, and sip (and a little sparkle never hurts), this one’s for you! Caroline Rillema – the legendary force behind Caroline's Fine Wine Cellar – is back with her annual White Wine & Cap Classique Review, one of the most prestigious tasting events in South Africa.

Picture this: 70 of the Cape’s top winemakers, each pouring just one wine – their absolute best. It’s like the Oscars of wine, but with bubbles and better conversation. 🥂

Join fellow wine lovers, sommeliers, and collectors for a walk-around tasting in the elegant Members’ Lounge at the DHL Stadium. The glass-fronted venue overlooks Cape Town’s skyline – the perfect backdrop for sipping the Cape’s finest.

🎟️ Tickets: R350 per person
🚗 Parking: R70 (secure & undercover)
🍾 Bonus: 15% off all wines purchased on the night
📍 Venue: DHL Stadium, 4th Floor Members’ Lounge, Green Point

This is one of those “if you know, you know” events. Don’t miss it.
Tickets here 👉 https://www.quicket.co.za/events/339864-carolines-white-wine-review-2025/ #/tickets

Posy Hazell