Nompumelelo Mkhize (27), or Phumi as her friends call her, has a BSc in environmental sciences from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She discovered her love for writing as a student and, most importantly, for wine when she started going to Mercury Wine Week to learn more about wine. She also used to do informal wine tastings, but says they were so informal she wasn’t sure what to call them.
After graduating in 2020, she became an online English as Second Language (ESL) teacher, and it was during this time that her blog, Wine Down with Phumi, kicked off and she started to collaborate with brands. She also completed her Wine Certificate and WoSA online course. As an influencer, she has worked with several wine brands, including Four Cousins and Durbanville Hills. Wine Down with Phumi is currently among the top-20 wine blogs in South Africa and she uses this platform to educate people about wine and write reviews on all the wines she can lay her hands on.
“From a young age, I was obsessed with the picture of coming home, having a glass of wine and just relaxing,” she says. “This piqued my interest in wine. To my delight, it was love at first taste. Wine has always been a passion of mine and making a lasting impact in the industry is my main priority. I thoroughly enjoy talking and writing about wine. I enjoy storytelling and being as candid as I can. Starting a blog dedicated to the wines of South Africa was how my passion came alive, and it has helped me work with several brands and tell them my story about their wines.”
As a wine writer, she has been hugely influenced by British Master of Wine and wine journalist Tim Atkin. “The fact that he’s an established wine writer who’s trusted in the wine industry inspires me to believe that my opinion is also valuable. He also highlights how vital writing about wine is for the industry. If I could win even half his accolades in South Africa, I would’ve left my footprint in the industry.”
What excites her most about the wine industry are the stories behind each bottle of wine and how each bottle is always individually crafted. “Even though some can taste similar, adding a simple strawberry flavour makes all the difference,” she says. “Each cellar has a different story. Sometimes you can even taste the passion in a few bottles of wine. The possibilities are limitless and I plan to take advantage of all the opportunities.”
In late 2022, she fell pregnant and abstained from drinking. She didn’t take on any wine work during this time, but after her baby’s birth last year, she went straight back to her wine writing and now focuses on Instagram and her blog to further her career.
Her blog and Instagram posts showcase the wines she writes about but with a twist. “My main aim is to stay true to myself,” she says. “I want to collaborate with people in many industries and introduce them to my love for wine. This will ensure that wine is integrated into various industries. My blog is a love letter to all wine lovers. It’s a way to connect people worldwide with the beauty of wine.”
Rapid fire Q&A
- Favourite wine ever tasted? Meerlust Rubicon 2018. Happiness in a bottle.
- Favourite bingeworthy TV show? Suits. I love Harvey Specter.
- Favourite pick-me-up song? Bruno Mars’ "The Lazy Song"
- Least-known fact about you? I’m an introvert and prefer spending time on my own.
- Ideal holiday destination? Iceland and Bora Bora
Check out Nompumelelo's blog, Wine Down with Phumi, at phumimkhize.wordpress.com or follow her on social media: She is on Instagram and X.