Wines of South Africa (WOSA) USA, the industry assocation which promotes the exports of South African wine, is excited to announce the 2017 #SAWineWeek, a winemaker tour for the regional marketing body. Together with City Winery, WOSA will host events in Chicago (May 2nd), Nashville (May 4), Atlanta (May 8), and NYC (May 11). Each city will host trade and consumer events offering attendees an opportunity to sample an array of wines representing the quality and diversity of South Africa’s burgeoning wine scene. #SAWineWeek promises to be the largest gathering of South African winemakers and brands in the past 10 years, and will present audiences with wines representing the current trends in South African winemaking.
Winemakers from regions throughout South Africa will be coming to the U.S. next month for the tour, from Nicolas Bureau (Glenelly) and Murray Barlow (Rustenberg) of Stellenbosch to David Sadie (David & Nadia) of the Swartland and Shelley Sandell (Tierhoek) of the up-and-coming Citrusdal/Piekenierskloof. “We are thrilled to be bringing what’s new and exciting in South African wine to the U.S.,” says Jim Clarke, Wines of South Africa U.S. marketing manager. “The participating wineries and winemakers represent the current trends and highlights in South Africa from old vine Chenin Blanc to coastal Pinot Noir and Méthode Cap Classique, our regional sparkling.”
Each market will host a daytime trade event from 2:30-4:30 where trade and media will have the opportunity to attend intimate panels with the visiting winemakers. In New York, the format will be a walk-around tasting from 12-4 p.m. In the evening, the events will be opened for consumers who will have the opportunity to sample the wines and meet participating winemakers. “The wines of SouthAfrica are on trend at the moment,” says Rachel Speckan, mational wine director at City Winery. “The land is ancient, alive, diverse and so very beautiful. The winemaking history is engaging, with the established and traditional interweaving with a new wave of adventurous folks. The grapes and styles are often familiar, but, the experience of the place and people are a new and exciting discovery.”
After over 20 years in a post-apartheid nation, South Africa’s wine industry has advanced in many ways, including new varietals and regions gaining exposure in both on and off premise accounts. Additionally, exports have increased in both volume and value to the U.S., which is now the fifth top export market for South African wine. The 52-week period ending July 2016 showed the category up 25 percent by value, according to a Nielson data report.
