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Several black-owned wine brands – including Amari, House of Azari, Khulu Fine Wines, Nanola Wines and Siwela Wines – will be in attendance at the upcoming Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival, which takes place on May 24 and 25 at the Inanda Polo Club in Sandton from 11h00 to 16h00.

This year, the hugely popular annual event will feature some of South Africa’s finest Cap Classiques including several from black producers which it is hoped will continue to unlock greater opportunity for their economic participation in South Africa’s wine industry.

Says Sazi Ngcobo, co-founder of Amari: “We will be pouring and selling our Amari Lush at the festival, and we’d love attendees to visit our stand, say hello and have a taste. It’s a lush Cap Classique embodying a balance of structure and a resounding elegance from Chardonnay, with a hint of honey to round it off.”

In the long term Ngcobo sees Amari as an international brand.

“Our plans are to launch a Brut, followed by a Rosé (Amari Blush) and then we plan to take on Africa, with our focus markets being Nigeria, Angola and Ghana. Our ultimate goal is to be a globally recognised brand that is proudly South African.”

Three years ago, Pretoria-based Siphiwe Katjene’s lifetime dream came true when she launched her very own Cap Classique brand called House of Azari. The name, she says, is rooted in Arabic and signifies “divine assistance, power, strength, fire, a pioneering spirit and a spiritual idealist.”

Katjene will be showcasing her three Cap Classiques at the festival including her Nectar Rosé, a Pinot Noir Cap Classique with an aroma of strawberries and raspberries, layered with subtle spices and floral notes; her Brut Blanc De Blancs 2020, awarded a score of 90 in the Tim Atkin 2023 SA Wine Report, that embraces the true essence of Chardonnay grapes, with a vivacious dance of crisp acidity, green apple notes and a hint of toasted brioche; and her Brut Rosé, an elegant Pinot Noir/Chardonnay bubbly, light pink in colour with aromas of red berries, cherries and subtle hints of grapefruit.

“I’m proud to say that this wine was awarded a Gold medal at the Intercontinental Wine Challenge 2024,” she says.

Also at the festival will be Kwanele Nyawo, CEO and co-founder of Khulu Fine Wines with Niël van Staden. Nyawo spent almost 14 years working for an insurance company before embarking on an entrepreneurship journey. Together with Van Staden, she started Mzansi Craft Wine and Khulu shortly thereafter.

“Khulu means ‘great’ or ‘extravagant’ in isiZulu. Niël and I wanted to create a luxury wine brand those words would apply to, as we both love the good things in life.

Khulu’s bubbly is called Izigidi, meaning “millions” in isiZulu.

“It’s a beautiful Blanc de Blanc Cap Classique made from 100% Chardonnay grapes and is complex and indulgent with secondary aromas of orange blossom and lemon zest on the nose. It really pairs well with seafood, salads and cheese,” says Nyawo.

Also in attendance will be Nanola Wines, a 100% black woman owned brand that carries elements of a personal story, family, culture and origin, given birth to by its founder Silindile Zuma as a way of paying homage to her late father. The name itself comes from a mashup of the terms of endearment that Zuma’s father used to call her with an underlying meaning of “feminine strength”.

At the festival, Nanola Wines will be presenting its Nanola Crown Brut, a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blend with white citrus blossom notes and whisps of white roses leading up to an intense fresh crisp taste of apple and a slight minerality which balances into a lingering finish that is perfectly suited to celebrating life. There’s also the Nanola Crown Brut Rosé which has a lovely floral bouquet expressing a mixture of berry-fruit flavours and a hint of Muscat, which carries through nicely to the palate, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste.

“It’s a gorgeous fresh fruity pink sparkling wine for everyday enjoyment and the perfect partner for salads, seafood and light meals,” says Zuma.

Last, but certainly not least, is Siwela Wines a proudly South African, black female owned wine company.

Says Siwela Sweetness Masoga, winemaker and owner of Siwela Wines: “Siwela, which means crossing over in IsiZulu, echoes the journey of a young black female who, through a leap of faith, passion and determination crossed over to a mostly white male dominated industry. We at Siwela Wines believe that there is no hurdle too steep, we are born to inspire.

“We are passionate about what we do and strive to produce unique and accessible wines with consistent quality,” she concludes.

Other bubbly producers at this year’s Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival will include Anthonij Rupert Wyne (L'Ormarins), Black Elephant Vintners, Boschendal, Carrol Boyes Wines, Graham Beck, Haute Cabrière (home of Pierre Jourdan), J.C. Le Roux, Laborie Cap Classique, Quoin Rock, The House of BNG, Villiera Wines and WCellar.

Food stalls include Taco Burger, King Arabic, DimSumFest, Sumting Fresh, Chateau Gateaux, Christine's Biltong and Holly's Nougat while live music will come courtesy of saxophonist extraordinaire Lobela and top Cape Town musician and DJ ShenFM to round out the day.

This year’s theme is Sophisticated Floral Chic, with fabulous prizes awarded to the best dressed.

Tickets are available from Webtickets and include Hospitality tickets* (R850pp), with private entrance access to the venue, dedicated area with host and security guard, welcome glass of Taittinger Champagne, branded crystal tasting glass, 20 tasting coupons and complimentary bottle of bubbly to take home. And, General Admission tickets (R450pp), which include a branded crystal tasting glass and ten tasting coupons.

* Hospitality tickets for Saturday are sold out, but still available for Sunday.

The Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival

Inanda Polo Club, Sandton
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May
Tastings from 11h00 to 14h30, sales and live music from 14h30 to 16h00
Tickets from Webtickets