A supplier of quality wine to the local and
international markets, which includes a Fairtrade offering, uniWines Vineyards
and Wild Clover have established a new company – Wild Clover Breweries.
According to Ferdinand Appel, CEO of
uniWines Vineyards, the venture into craft beer is aimed at expanding the
winery’s beverage offering. “Our substantial wine range, based on an annual
harvest of over 45 000 tons
of wine grapes, will be complemented by the synergy with the quality craft beer
sector,” he says. “This will include offering craft beer to our current
national and international wine clients who have already expressed interest in
accessing South Africa’s dynamic and growing craft beer industry.”
The joint venture will also allow the
current Wild Clover brewery based in Koelenhof, Stellenbosch to increase its
brewing capacity and to extend its tourist facilities.
Wild Clover CEO Ampie Kruger says the local
demand for craft beer is exceeding supply. “The co-operation with uniWines
Vineyards will allow me to expand production, improve distribution and get a
foot into the export market where South African craft beers are actually
generating a lot of interest.
The current Wild Clover range includes a
Double Owl English Brown Ale, Black Dog Smokey Irish Porter, Blind Mole Crispy
German Pils and Eagle Weiss Fruity Belgian Wit.
Appel says that the quality of Wild Clover’s
craft beer played a profound role in uniWines Vineyards decision to partner the
brewery.
“With a range of good wines and a selection
of quality beers, uniWines Vineyards hopes to increase its presence in the
beverage sector,” he says. “We will soon be offering the Wild Clover range for
tasting and purchase at our tasting venue in Rawsonville, capitalising on the
growth of tourism in the area.”
Wild
Clover Breweries in Stellenbosch will likewise be stocking a range of uniWines
Vineyards products