De Wetshof Newsletter | July 2013

Monday, 1 July, 2013

De Wetshof Estate

The imposing vistas of the snow-capped Langeberg Mountains and De Wetshof’s dramatic winter vineyards were exchanged for a rainy summer in Bordeaux as our marketing team comprising Johann de Wet and Bennie Stipp joined wine-maker Peter de Wet at this year’s Vinexpo, still the world’s largest gathering-place for the wine world.

Thousands of producers from countries one had scarcely heard of -never mind known to be wine-making nations - as well as the presenceof hallowed names from Bordeaux and Burgundy presented theirproducts to trade and media from around the globe. It is big. It isbreathlessly exciting. Tiring, at times and yes, daunting.

Yet, according to Johann de Wet, Vinexpo is one of the world’s most important shows. Having a solid presence in the global market, many familiar faces from the European and American trade visited the De Wetshof stand to rekindle relationships.

“Besides seeing our old friends, it was especially interesting to note the number of Russian and Canadian wine-buyers who are suddenly showing an interest in South Africa, De Wetshof and Chardonnay,” he said. “We are privileged to have relationships with certain European markets for over 30 years, but very excited about the interest being shown from countries wishing to discover South Africa and De Wetshof. There is a tremendous amount of potential out there, and Vinexpo makes one realize this.”