Forget sipping cocktails on the strip in Camps Bay. Picking grapes in a vineyard in the Winelands and then watching them get crushed in a press. As well as aged in a barrel to make beautiful red wine. That’s where it’s at this season!!
A bunch of special friends and extended family did just that last week when they gathered at the Bosman farm in Wellington to pick Nero. A one-of-a-kind grape grown exclusively by them in South Africa, with partner actor/producer Thapelo Mokoena of Bakoena Brands.
Natasha Explains What Winemaking Was All About.
“People like to debate whether winemaking is an art or a craft, but it’s actually a story. Each barrel tells a different story, and my job is to blend these individual stories together to give a holistic picture of the terroir. And terroir is not just the soil, the microclimate and the slope, it’s also about all the people along the way who have helped form the wine’s ultimate story. A winemaker has to listen carefully and respect the contribution of each component.”
Every year the Nero grapes have been harvested by Petrus Bosman and his family, but since joined by partner Thapelo and his wife Lesego Mokoena, over the past few years, this year a few special people joined in too.
The winemakers hosted guests and allowed them a taste of the 2021 vintage directly from the barrel. They then enjoyed more of the previous vintages, and other Bosman wines, over a loud and lovely lunch served in the cellar. Amongst them were some of Thapelo’s industry friends, to name a few, Master Chief’s new judge Chef Zola Nene; Jamie-Lee Domburg of the Expresso Morning Show; actress Nicole Madell and presenter Katlego Maboe.
“What a memorable experience for all! It changed each harvester’s view of wine. From a simple liquid in the bottle, to a rich and intricate story of people. Nature working together for the best possible outcome,” said Mokoena. “The day also reminded us of the value of sharing with friends and family and celebrating our connection to each other and to the land we love so dearly.”
Petrus and Thapelo have their sights set on introducing this special varietal to every corner of Africa and beyond. “We’re conquering the world one bottle of Nero at a time.