Visio Vintners is a black-owned wine brand and company based in Stellenbosch. It was launched in 2018 through a partnership between the Kleine Zalze Empowerment Trust and Kleine Zalze Wines. This collaboration focuses on skills transfer in wine farming, farm management, winemaking and wine marketing to create sustainable opportunities for the future. While the trust and winery co-own the company, the trust holds the majority share.
The trust consists of 35 beneficiaries – all previously disadvantaged workers from Kleine Zalze Wines, working across the vineyards, cellar, and office. Leading the way are trustees Alicia Alves, Brandon Uitlander, Gerald Snyman, and Sandra Koen.
Visio Vintners has made its mark with high-quality, characterful wines, crafted to resonate with the modern palate. Its core wine range includes a Sauvignon Blanc, Cinsault Rosé, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, and an Alliance red blend – each bottle reflecting the team's dedication and vision.
Visio Vintners' vineyards are located on a 20-ha plot adjacent to Kleine Zalze Wines, leased long-term from Stellenbosch Municipality.
This Freedom Month, wine.co.za caught up with trustees Alicia Alves and Sandra Koen – two amazing women who have been part of the Kleine Zalze family for over a decade – to hear all about Visio Vintners' exciting journey so far.
What are your roles at Visio Vintners and Kleine Zalze Wines, respectively?
Sandra: I am an accountant at Visio Vintners. At Kleine Zalze Wines, I’m also in the financial department, specifically responsible for the creditors.
Alicia: My role at Visio Vintners is production/logistics. I'm responsible for overseeing loading out of the orders, procurement of dry goods, and so on. At Kleine Zalze, I'm the stock controller, so I basically do the same type of thing at Visio Vintners
How has your roles at Visio Vintners changed over the years?
Alicia: We have become involved in marketing the brand. We work at wine shows now and then to get a feel for what consumers think about the product.
What sets Visio Vintners apart as a wine brand?
Sandra: Visio Vintners is a black-owned company in Stellenbosch established in 2018 by the Kleine Zalze Empowerment Trust and Kleine Zalze Wines. The trust owns 51% of the company and Kleine Zalze Wines owns 49%. To be a beneficiary of the trust, you need to be employed by Kleine Zalze full-time.
What is Visio Vintners' motto?
Alicia and Sandra (in unison): Creating a brighter future.
What does Visio Vintners stand for?
Sandra: Our vision is to be a beacon of hope, growth, and success.
Alicia: To build a widely recognised wine brand that is sustainable as well as beneficial for the beneficiaries and their families.
Since being founded in 2018, what has been some of Visio Vintners' greatest achievements?
Alicia: In my personal opinion, the biggest one is that we actually have wine on the shelves! Our brand is growing, which is truly amazing for us.
We have won several wine awards. These include the Alliance's 92-point Tim Atkin rating, the Pinotage's gold medal at the 2022 Michelangelo Wine and Spirits Awards, and Sauvignon Blanc's double gold medal at the Gold Wine Awards 2022.
Sandra: We have won a few tenders to export wine, most recently Sweden and the UK. In fact, we have launched four new products exclusively for our overseas markets: the We The People Cape Blend 2023, Pinot Grigio 2024, and Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2024 are available at Tesco in the UK; and the Petite Belle Blanc des Blancs sparkling wine is available in Sweden.
Looking back, we would never have thought that, in 2025, we would be where we are today. I feel so proud.
Visio Vintners' complete range of wines.
What are your favourite Visio Vintners wines?
Sandra: Alliance is my favourite. It's an ultra-premium red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinotage, and Shiraz. It's a very soft red wine that I can recommend to anyone.
Alicia: Mine is the Cinsault Rosé – it's a lovely kuierwyntjie. Made from 100% Cinsault, it's very refreshing. It's not a sweet rosé, and it's not an overly dry rosé either. The balance is just right.
Where can consumers buy your wines?
Sandra: They can buy our wines online or at the Kleine Zalze Tasting Room. They're also available at selected TOPS at SPAR and Blue Bottle Liquors stores, and some restaurants, hotels and lodges (like the Bona Bona Game Lodge!).
Interested in trying these incredible wines for yourself? You can shop their wines via their online shop or the Kleine Zalze Tasting Room. You can also taste the Visio Vintners range at the tasting room, or try the special new pairing: the Visio Vintners Wine and Chocolate Pairing. It's perfect for wine lovers, chocolate enthusiasts, and everyone in between!
Click HERE to shop their wines via Visio Vintners' online shop.
Visio Vintners Wine and Chocolate Pairing, available in the Kleine Zalze Tasting Room.