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Soweto Wine Festival a popular draw

Nonhlanhla Kobokwana

28 July 2010

The Soweto Wine Festival, now into its sixth year and regarded by some as South Africa's most exciting wine fest, this year includes a business arena as well as additional space to accommodate Johannesburg's enthusiastic wine fans.

The Soweto Wine Festival takes place at the University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus from 2 to 4 September.

Thanks to its huge growth in popularity, this year's Festival will include a large marquee, which will be added to the side of the hall, to cope with crowd capacity. And careers in wine, wine education and entrepreneurial opportunities in wine will be on show at the new Wine Business Education arena.

It is believed that the education arena will provide a strong platform for business opportunities and add economic value to South African wine producers by introducing local wines to new markets, which will result in increased local consumption and sales.

Scope for enormous growth

Marilyn Cooper of Cape Wine Master, joint founding member of the Soweto Wine Festival and the managing director of the Cape Wine Academy, the organisers of the festival, said that this year, there will be scope for enormous growth.

"It is the most exciting wine festival in South Africa," she reckoned.

Visitors will be able to taste over 800 of South Africa's best-known wines from 100 wine producers, including some of the country's most reputable, award-winning labels and most successful empowerment brands.

It is expected that more than 6 500 people will visit the 2010 festival. Over and above the tasting and meeting cultivars, the show will offer a further dimension with lifestyle brands and a food court.

Food and wine pairing

Pick n Pay, one of the sponsors, will present two one-hour food and wine pairing sessions hosted by wine experts and renowned chefs.

DSTV is another sponsor. Colleen Goodman, the media group's marketing manager, says DSTV is once again proud to be a partner of the Soweto Wine Festival.

"We are proud to play a part in this astonishing growth and to help introduce wine to the people of not only Soweto but Gauteng. We are also happy to have signed a three-year deal to be part of the event."

The business of wine

Another co-founder of the festival, Mnikelo Mangciphu, the owner of Morara Wine Emporium in Soweto, says: "We are no longer a small wine festival. A much-anticipated change to the festival is the businesses arm. One must love wine to be in the business of wine."

Mangciphu added that the business of wine in South Africa has huge potential, but is largely untapped by the black market. "We need to share our knowledge to grow others. Wine is our heritage. It is time."

The Soweto Wine Festival runs from 2 to 4 September at the Main Hall, University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus, Chris Hani Road, Soweto. Doors are open from 18:00 to 22:00 daily.

Tickets are R60 per person and can be bought at the door; at the Pick n Pay Hypers in Boksburg, Norwood, Woodmead, Steeledale, Northgate, Princess Crossing, Soweto and Greenstone; at Morara Wine Emporium; and at the Cape Wine Academy.