Sauvignon Blanc – the grape varietal that continues to provoke strong reactions, both positive and negative – I guess in the same way as one might feel about the arrival of the New Year with a long list of expectations and resolutions, burdened by reality and perhaps dwindling self-discipline! Similarly, as you can’t take any […]
The Value of Non-Traditional Traditions
Being raised by let’s call them, Hippies (think 1970s – dad wearing kaftans with a long red beard and hair) tradition was never our thing – not Christmas or any holiday for that matter. And when you grow up like that you can’t imagine these seasonal times to be any other but how we chose […]
The Wildest Grape in the Cellar
Today however, it is a celebrated grape varietal and us winemakers have had to learn the hard-way how to approach Pinotage.
Cabernet Sauvignon: the James Bond of Cultivars
A well-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon will rest comfortably and age beautifully for around eight years although many, including Zonnebloem’s Cabernet Sauvignon.
Zonnebloem’s Powerful All-Women Winemaking Team
Marie Furter: Zonnebloem’s first female winemaker When Zonnebloem’s first female winemaker, Marie Furter made her debut in the 1940s, winemaking was reserved solely for men. Yet her natural affinity for making wine led to her maiden vintage in 1940 to earn three trophies at the Cape Wine Show achieving the highest total score of any […]
Reading through the wines
“Where there is no wine there is no love.”Euripides (c. 480–406 BC) Zonnebloem red winemaker’s love for aged wine I am a hopeless romantic. Since I can remember the story of how my beloved grandparents met at the Stellenbosch train station, I was enthralled with the giddy splendour of romance. Although I have fallen in […]
Zonnebloem Pinotage 2013
Michael Olivier Talking Wine 1 minute broadcast of the Zonnebloem Pinotage 2013 on Monday 6th on Fine Music Radio 101.3FM during the drive-time show called “Winding Down” hosted by Nic Ciro between 4 and 6 pm each weekday.
Zonnebloem Wines interview with Michelle Louw on Michael Olivier Talking Wine
4 minute interview with Michelle Louw which was broadcast on Fine Music Radio 101.3FM during the ‘Saturday Scene’ lifestyle show between 9 and 12 on Saturday 6th.
JULES MERCER’S CAESAR SALAD
Paired with Zonnebloem Sauvignon Blanc Foodie favourite Jules Mercer who delights in doing things differently, has deconstructed the classic Caesar salad to serve with Zonnebloem’s fresh, zesty Sauvignon Blanc. It tingles with lively notes of passion fruit and green fig to wake up your tongue. Crisp but mouth-filling, it has all the flavour and palate […]
JULES MERCER MAGICS WITH ZONNEBLOEM
World-travelled food artist, stylist and innovator, Jules Mercer, has been sipping on Zonnebloem’s contemporary classics, inspiring her to whirl up some smart, very sophisticated dishes with an awesomely original flourish. Here’s her answer to summer entertaining. This fabulous crab salad is served with Zonnebloem’s elegant blend of two of South Africa’s favourite white grapes: Chenin […]
Zonnebloem Showered in Silver at London Show
Zonnebloem has walked away with a total of eight silver medals at this year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition in London, with two of these, silver outstanding accolades. The stars of the silver line-up, earning the equivalent of double silvers for excellence, were the 2009 Shiraz and the 2011 Limited Edition Sauvignon Blanc. The other […]
ZONNEBLOEM LAUREAT LOOKS BACK
From the 2010 vintage, Zonnebloem’s flagship red blend, Laureat, features a new label that pays homage to those who have shaped this well-loved South African brand. The new look, that is strikingly different from its earlier iterations, also better distinguishes the specialty wine from the core range, says global marketing manager Deidre Samson. A Cabernet […]
NO ZONNEBLOEM TODAY WITHOUT UNSUNG HEROINE, MARIE
The name Marie Furter might not come up much in conversation, but if it weren’t for this feisty woman working in wine over 70 years ago, it’s very likely no-one would be drinking Zonnebloem today. Marie was just 21 when her father, Willem, owner of the farm, Zonnebloem, in Simondium, died unexpectedly on January 7, […]
ZONNEBLOEM SHOWS HOW MICRO-MANAGING WORKS
Zonnebloem’s dynamic young winemaking team exudes an energetic sense of purpose in wanting to extend the strong affection felt for the brand. “There is an extraordinary public affinity with Zonnebloem and this is something we want to protect in the face of an increasing array of choices for winelovers,” says cellarmaster Deon Boshoff, who was […]
