BLACC

| BLACCmondayXCavalli

This past Wednesday, Cavalli invited the club to revisit this extraordinary estate.

Commencing with a walking tour of the Heldeberg region vineyards, we learnt about the unique cool climate influence of the Southerly winds and the ‘koffieklip’ soils.

Winemaker Rianie Strydom guided the 20-strong members through a fascinating tasting of the wine range followed by a beautiful lunch hosted by Chef Lucas Carstens.

Thank you to Cavalli’s owner and team for the very special day.

Photography thanks to Jim Freeman

Ps. BLACCmondays don’t necessarily need to be held on Mondays..!

Cavalli Wine Estate South Africa Wine Wines of South Africa

| BLACC heads to Cavalli Estate this coming Wednesday and it’s set to be a signature experience!

This is the club’s second visit to the icon Stellenbosch wine estate, the first being back in 2019, so, it’s particularly heart warming to return after the pandemic.

Cavalli Wine Estate

| An inspirational day was enjoyed this past Monday thanks to the invitation by Ntsiki Biyela of Aslina Wines to visit her tasting room in Stellenbosch.

A group from our Western Cape Chapter had the pleasure of tasting through the Aslina range of six wines:

Aslina Methode Cap Classique 2016
Aslina Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Aslina Chenin Blanc 2023
Aslina Chardonnay 2023
Aslina Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Aslina Umsasane 2021

As we head towards August and South Africa’s national Women’s Day celebrations on the 9th, it was indeed a privilege to meet and be in the company of winemaker and entrepreneur Ms Biyela.

To learn more about Aslina by Ntsiki Biyela, visit: www.aslinawines.com

Photography: Jim Freeman

Aslina Wines

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Members from our Western Cape Chapter have the privilege of spending the day this coming Monday, July 22nd in the company of sage winemaker and owner, Ntsiki Biyela of Aslina Wines.

Aslina Wines was founded in 2016 and today, six premium wines make up the range that are found and enjoyed around the globe.

For a true African hospitality experience the Aslina Tasting Room is located at Unit 1, Ground Floor, Building 4, Alberto Drive, Devonbosch, Bottelary Road, Stellenbosch. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm, by appointment only.

www.aslinawines.com

Aslina Wines

This should be an interesting watch!

Widow Clicquot | Rotten Tomatoes After her husband's untimely death, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot flouts convention by assuming the reins of the fledgling wine business they had nurtured together. Steering the company through dizzying political and financial reversals, she defies her critics and revolutionizes the champagne indu...

Proper service temperatures can truly upgrade your wine tasting experiences. 📈

| Here’s bidding a fond farewell to our Chairman-Wellington Muromba-as he departs South Africa’s shores to take on an exciting career move to Sri Lanka. Wellington joined BLACC in 2017 and has been our steadfast Chairman since April 2021. He has been a pillar of leadership for the club and his drive and unstoppable energy in forging his career in wine has been an inspiration to us all.

Wellington departs SA this coming Friday and takes on the position of Group Sommelier for the Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts based in Colombo. The group’s portfolio includes properties in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Under the circumstances, Wellington has resigned as Chairman of BLACC but remains a stalwart senior member of the club and joins our ‘beyond Africa’ Chapter. Here’s raising a glass to you Mr Muromba!

Our Vice Chairman Denzel Swarts steps in as Acting Chairman until such time that the club holds the next election which will occur in the coming months.

Our sincere condolences and thoughts go out to Madeleine Laarman on the loss of her husband, winemaker Arco Laarman.

Arco was an exceptional independent winemaker who was admired and loved by many.

Rest in peace, Arco.
Madeleine Laarman Arco Laarman

The South African wine and brandy industry is a beacon of economic resilience, contributing significantly to GDP, employment, tourism, and government revenue.

In 2022, wine tourism contributed R9.3 billion to the South African economy, surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels and significantly outperforming the 2019 contribution of R7.2 billion.

Read more here: https://loom.ly/_S26cVA
View our detailed infographic here: https://loom.ly/Uqrzb9I

With the first grapes already hitting cellars a week earlier than last year, we're excited to see what the new vintage holds.

In less than a month, we'll celebrate 365 years of South African winemaking heritage. South Africa is the only wine-producing country with an exact birthdate thanks to a diary entry on 2 February 1659.

Join in the celebrations by being an ambassador for South African wine wherever you find yourself.

How to Pair Wine and Potato Chips