At wine.co.za, we dedicate the month of April to our #wineforgood initiative every year. We publish a #wineforgood story a day: Stories of change, upliftment, conservation, and more. There are so many South African wineries and organisations that are working hard to change lives in the Winelands and beyond, and this is a message we would like to amplify.
Why April? On 27 April we celebrate Freedom Day, commemorating the first post-apartheid elections. 27 April 1994 was a significant day that saw our country unite and stand alongside one another to bring about change. There is continuously a call for the wine industry to stand together and make a difference.
Through our #wineforgood campaign, launched in 2016, we have shared hundreds of positive #wineforgood stories via our website and social media channels. There are many more stories to tell and we are determined to make #wineforgood month 2023 an even bigger success.
To kick off #wineforgood month, we compiled a list of five of our most inspiring #wineforgood stories that we have shared over the years.
Top 5 #wineforgood stories
A little mentorship goes a long way - Siwela Masoga and Denzel Swarts
Back in 2019, we sat down and got to know two inspiring changemakers in the South African wine industry, Siwela Masoga and Denzel Swartz.
"Siwela Masoga, owner of Siwela Wines, came to the Western Cape from Limpopo showing courage in pursuing her dreams of being part of the wine world. With some help from within the industry, she is now living her dream."
"As a small boy growing up on Simonsig Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, Denzel was restless. He wanted to see what was out there, he wanted to learn, he wanted to be different and make a difference." And today, he is doing just that!
Click HERE to read the article.
Pebbles Project changing lives
The Pebbles Project has been changing lives in the Western Cape since 2004. As a proud partner of this incredible organisation, we regularly share news and inspirational stories about the work they do.
"Sophia Warner, founder of the Pebbles Project, dropped a pebble into the South African Winelands in 2004, and the ripples are reaching right across the Western Cape from Citrusdal to Hermanus and there seems to be no stopping it. The Pebbles Project's purpose is to enrich the lives of children from disadvantaged backgrounds with special educational needs, especially those whose lives are affected by alcohol, through providing support and training to local wine farm and township crèches and establishing after-school provision for older children living in the Winelands."
Click HERE to read the article.
Ntsiki Biyela and the grandmother behind Aslina Wines
Dave March CWM shares the inspirational story of Ntsiki Biyela, owner of Aslina Wines and the first black female winemaker in South Africa.
"The first classes Ntsiki Biyela took at Stellenbosch University were very difficult for her. Not just because she knew nothing about the subject, but also because they were in Afrikaans, a language she didn’t speak. It was a long way from Mahlabathini, her rural village home in Kwa-Zulu Natal, but it was an opportunity she was going to take full advantage of. After matriculating, Ntsiki wanted to change her life..."
Click HERE to read the article.
Wines you can buy to help make a difference
South African wineries are changing lives and you can help them by buying and drinking their wines. Trudie Webb lists a few wine brands that are making a difference.
"From extending ownership through a workers’ trust, to spearheading social projects in the farm community, Bosman Family Vineyards has long been a pioneer in uplifting the local wine industry with its innovative model that weaves environmental and social responsibility into the fabric of the business. For every bottle of Generation 8, Adama and Fairtrade wine sold, a percentage of the selling price are collected and paid back to the Adama Foundation."
Click HERE to read the article.
Old vines, liquid history
Conserving old vines keeps alive the history and cultural landscape of South African wine. Graham Howe shares the story of how the Rupert family played a pioneering role in the founding of the Old Vine Project.
"A fascinating tasting at a recent flight of a dozen old vine wines in the Cape of Good Hope collection at Anthonij Rupert wine cellar in Franschhoek showcased the diversity of terroir – and the living heritage of South African wine. Launched in 2006 by Johann Rupert, the initiative which led to the Old Vine Project underpins the commitment of the Rupert dynasty to preserve the cultural landscape of South Africa in art, architecture, cars, cuisine, and wine. Old vines are like venerable old trees."
Click HERE to read the article.
How can you get involved in our #wineforgood initiative?
- Submit your #wineforgood stories: If you'd like to contribute to #wineforgood month, you're welcome to send us good news stories in any format you'd like – whether it is an article, video, social media post, you name it – anytime before the end of April. Click HERE to submit.
- Spread the good news: Share our #wineforgood stories with your friends and family to inspire others too. Please add the hashtag #wineforgood in all your social media posts.
- Get involved: Take action and help wineries and organisations make a difference. From buying their wines to volunteering your time, there are many ways to do your part.
There are plenty of good news stories about upliftment and transformation in the South African wine industry. The #wineforgood website, launched by wine.co.za in June 2016, hosts all the positive stories from the winelands, of which there are plenty. wine.co.za has made April a focus for #wineforgood stories. Share them far and wide and spread the good news about South African wine. If you'd like to submit a story, please email editor@wine.co.za.