Advini South Africa is an official partner of Team Zimbabwe 2022. This team of refugees-turned-sommeliers inspired the global wine world in the film Blind Ambition, which follows their journey of conquering the odds to become some of South Africa's top sommeliers after escaping starvation and tyranny in their homeland of Zimbabwe.
This year will see the same quartet that starred in Blind Ambition – Pardon Taguzu, Tinashe Nyamudoka, Joseph Dhafana, and Marlvin Gwese – return to France to participate at the World Blind Tasting Championships (WBTC), under the guidance of their eminent coach, Denis Garret.
“The moving story of Team Zimbabwe has inspired a generation of African Sommeliers. Supporting the growth and development of the next generation of African wine professionals is a cornerstone of Advini South Africa’s commitment. Blind Ambition outstandingly shows what is possible,” explains Advini South Africa managing director, Naretha Ricome.
Members of Team Zimbabwe joined winemakers Dirk Coetzee (L’Avenir), William Wilkinson (Le Bonheur), Bernard Claassen (Stellenbosch Vineyards), Shawn Matthyse (Ken Forrester) and RJ Botha (Kleine Zalze) for an extensive tasting in preparation for what is regarded as the Olympics of wine. They will also visit Advini properties Domaine
Laroche and Maison Champy in Burgundy, France, shortly before participating the the WBTC in October.
One half of Team Zimbabwe who will compete in the World Blind Tasting Championship in France: Marlvin Gwese and Joseph Dhafana (team captain).
“We are committed to leaving a legacy for a next generation of Zimbabwean and African Sommeliers. The opportunity to taste world class wines and visit the wineries where they
are produced is in itself an inspiration. For us, it’s not just about representing our country and continent, but about paving the way for the young Tinashes, Pardons and Marlvins that look up to us,” explains Team Zimbabwe 2022 captain, Joseph Dhafana.
According to Advini South Africa strategic development director, Dr Edo Heyns, the partnership with Team Zimbabwe is part of a broader objective to develop young wine professionals in Africa. “The 2025 Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) Conference is going to take place in South Africa. This shows that the global wine and specifically sommelier fraternity is acknowledging the importance of Africa in the future development of the wine industry,” notes Heyns.
The International Wine Tasting Championships will take place on 8 October 2022 in Champagne, France. Three African teams (South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya) will participate against the likes of France, Italy, USA, United Kingdom and China, to be crowned world champions of wine.
Click HERE to view the Blind Ambition trailer.