Shows
The Vinimark PodcastThe Old Vine Project Digital Wine AcademyIn this episode of the Vinimark Podcast, we interview Nadia Hefer - the driving force behind the Old Vine Project’s brand new digital education platform. Nadia discusses the history of the Old Vine Project, the keys to their success, and the incredible scientists and experts they’ve met along the way. She unpacks a little of the new course’s curriculum and touches on the role of hard science in support of the Old Vine Initiative, silencing the critics. 2023-06-2926 min
The Vinimark PodcastWine's future unearthed: South African vineyards' soil revolution in a climate crisisIn this episode of the Vinimark Podcast, we explore the future of grape farming in the South African Winelands and discuss how vignerons can adapt to the challenges posed by climate change and drought. Our guest, viticulturist Jaco Engelbrecht, founder of Visual Viticulture and consultant to esteemed producers like Eben Sadie and Weltevreden, offers insights on strategies for future-proofing the wine industry. Jaco is also a key member of The Horsemen Wines team, a winemaking project that focuses on cultivating grape varietals that are better suited for the "apocalyptic times" brought on by climate change.2023-04-1133 min
The Vinimark PodcastCapeWine 2022: Feedback and insights from WOSA CEO Siobhan ThompsonFollowing on from a successful CapeWine 2022, we met up with Wines of South Africa CEO, Siobhan Thompson, to unpack the strategy behind its theme of “Sustainability 360”. Siobhan also shares some of her thoughts on the challenges facing South African wine on a global scale and gives her insight on the areas in which South African wine can grow and shine. 2022-10-3115 min
The Vinimark PodcastThe Tim Atkin SA Wine Report - Insights from the man himselfJust moments before the historic Tim Atkin 95+ point wine tasting in Cape Town, Jono got to sit down with Tim Atkin to discuss a full decade of Tim’s South African Wine Reports. This podcast includes Tim's highlights of the year, and what excites him for the future of South African wine. Points discussed in this episode include the state of South African wine in global markets, the future of Syrah in the country, and the need for vignerons to begin future-proofing against climate change. 2022-09-2622 min
The Vinimark PodcastThe buying power of black wine consumersIn July 2022, Vinimark gathered a panel of some of South Africa's pioneering black wine marketers, distributors and retailers to discuss the expectations and needs of black wine drinkers versus what wine marketers and retailers are actually delivering. The conversation highlighted significant challenges, but also clear opportunities for producers who are willing to take the time to build consumer trust the old-fashioned way. And so it is that Vinimark is following up that earlier conversation by chatting to Thapelo Mokoena to try and answer those questions. Thapelo is the co-owner of the Nero wine brand, which...2022-09-1424 min
The Vinimark PodcastWhat is Regenerative Viticulture? In the run-up 2022-07-0422 min
The Vinimark PodcastYeasts, Thiols and Wine Flavour DevelopmentWine geeks, assemble! In our latest podcast episode titled Yeasts, Thiols and their effect on wine flavour development, we have a fascinating contribution from Dr Carien Coetzee, the founder of Basic Wine. Carien is a doctor of Agricultural Oenology, as well as an international wine judge for the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon. It’s all in an afternoon’s work for her as she effortlessly unpacks some of the science behind thiol-boosting yeasts, and explains how yeast nutrients can modulate flavour during fermentation. She also discusses some exciting discoveries and innovations that are opening up new possibilities for winemakers.2022-04-0130 minThe Vinimark PodcastFuture-Focussed Wine BrandsIn our latest podcast episode titled Future-Focussed Wine Brands, Jono speaks to Lulie Halstead, CEO of Wine Intelligence about her incredibly useful framework for helping wine producers and brands be more future-focussed, and strategically position themselves for maximum commercial success during the decade heading up to 2030. She identified six elements: Awareness / Availability / Accountability / An accommodating mindset / Affluence and Adaptability. It's been four years since Lulie shared this framework and with CAPEWINE2022 just around the corner, it felt like a good time to take stock of her Six A's, to see how they're holding up.2022-02-1524 min
The Vinimark PodcastThe Fine Wine Debate with Pauline Vicard - shortened versionIn this Vinimark podcast episode titled The Fine Wine Debate, we speak to CEO of the Areni Global Institute, Pauline Vicard, about her wine industry study: “The Future of the Fine Wine Consumer”. Together we try to figure out where South Africa’s top-tier wines fit into the global picture of fine wine. We grapple with what the term “fine wine” actually means, and explore how a “nice wine” may be different to a “good wine”. Pauline shares her own thoughts on the definition, as well as what global wine critics and industry professionals deem of utmost importance when di...2021-12-1322 min
The Vinimark PodcastThe Fine Wine Debate with Pauline Vicard - Part 2In the second of our two-part series titled The Fine Wine Debate, we continue the conversation with Areni Global Institute CEO, Pauline Vicard. In this final episode, we explore what it means to declare wine as a “cultural product”. Pauline shares more on how the consumer mindset differs slightly to the industry mindset when it comes to deciding which wines are “fine” and which ones are not. 2021-11-2327 min
The Vinimark PodcastThe Fine Wine Debate with Pauline Vicard - Part 1In this two-part series titled The Fine Wine Debate, we speak to CEO of the Areni Global Institute, Pauline Vicard, about her wine industry study: “The Future of the Fine Wine Consumer”. Together we try to figure out where South Africa’s top-tier wines fit into the global picture of fine wine. We grapple with what the term “fine wine” actually means, and explore how a “nice wine” may be different to a “good wine”. Pauline shares her own thoughts on the definition, as well as what global wine critics and industry professionals deem of utmost importance when distinguishin...2021-11-2329 min
The Vinimark PodcastWomen of Wine (WOW) Series: Felicity CarterAs part of Women’s Month, Jono sits down with Felicity Carter to discuss everything from the structure of the female brain - and the dangers of genetic determinism - through to the fine wine scene in China, and how it offers a glimmer of hope for female wine lovers. Felicity is an enormously experienced wine journalist who has been writing on wine around the world for over twenty years. Her wealth of experience delivers superb insights into some of the challenges surrounding marketing wine to women, and how the emerging generation of female estate owners may ju...2021-08-1328 minThe Vinimark PodcastThe Future of the On-TradeOver the last year, restaurants, wine bars and tasting rooms have had to find creative ways to minimise the economic damage caused by sales bans, curfews, capacity restrictions, and onerous COVID-19 safety protocols. But the fact of the matter is that for these businesses to stay afloat, they need to generate meaningful profit in the realms of bricks and mortar - despite the bureaucratic setbacks. In this episode, Jono speaks to Robert Joseph – wine critic-turned producer, industry-analyst and consultant. Joseph shares very practical ideas on how businesses in the on-trade sphere can use their own customers' behavioural data to ru...2021-07-0235 min
The Vinimark PodcastClimate Change with a focus on droughtIn the latest Vinimark Podcast episode, Jono talks to the enigmatic Callie Louw - the custodian, farmer and winemaker at Porseleinberg, about the effects of drought, both in the vineyards, and also in the glass. Whether one is a wine drinker or not, most of us understand that, when it comes to farming, drought is a bad thing. But wine lovers will know that vines are at their best in marginal environments, where everyday life for the plant is a struggle. This point is never more obvious than when we look at how many of South Africa's m...2021-06-0428 min
The Vinimark PodcastOld Vines – the future of these going forwardIn this episode of the Vinimark Podcast, we talk to Rosa Kruger, the founder of the Old Vine Project (OVP) here in South Africa. Rosa shares some fascinating insights, and puts Jono in his place on more than one occasion! They discuss the OVP's exciting new projects, talk about the need for a culture of viticulture and explore the scientific studies that show just how different old vine wines are to their younger counterparts. The discussion touches on the blindtasting of old vine wines, explores consumer behaviour in the sales of old vines, and covers the secret l...2021-05-1242 min
The Vinimark PodcastBiodynamic, Organic and Natural WinesOver the past few decades, consumers have become increasingly aware of the impact their purchases have on their well-being and that of their families and the environment. This has led to a growing demand for products that are sourced, produced, packaged and delivered as sustainably as possible. In the South African wine industry, we’ve seen this trend manifesting in a number of interesting ways, including the adoption of organic and biodynamic farming practises and the production of organic and natural wines. The terms and categorisations of these practices and the certification of these products can...2021-04-0843 min
The Vinimark PodcastGoing beyond gender equalityVinimark Podcast host Jono le Feuvre sits down for a candid conversation with Samantha O'Keefe, award-winning winemaker, owner of Lismore Wines, single mother of two teenage sons and all-round legend in the South African wine industry. In this episode, Jono and Samantha delve a little deaper into the reasons why she - as well as many other women in the wine industry - tend to approach the topic of "women in wine" with caution and kid gloves. 2021-02-1925 min
The Vinimark PodcastWine goes Back to the Future: Old-fashioned customer service in the age of Information Technology (Part 2)Following on from Vinimark's Online Wine Revolution Webinar, Jono continues chatting to Paul Mabray, Emetry founder and eminent e-commerce authority. This is the second instalment in a two-part conversation about data, sales technology, and why the human connection is still the most important thing to get right. This second episode explores the importance of listening to your customer, lists top tips on deciphering your social media statistics, and outlines the importance of understanding the difference between customer education and customer engagement.2021-02-1923 min
The Vinimark PodcastWine goes Back to the Future: Old-fashioned customer service in the age of Information Technology (Part 1)Host Jono Le Feuvre sits down with Paul Mabray, Emetry founder and eminent e-commerce authority to talk frankly about data, sales technology and why the human connection is still the most important thing to get right. This episode explores how data insights can never replace a sincere customer-centered approach, but by combining technological advances with genuine customer care, good values will lead to great profits. 2021-02-1923 min
The Vinimark PodcastDe-mystifying De-Alcoholised & Low-alcohol WinesWelcome to another episode of the Vinimark Podcast. With South Africa currently experiencing regular alcohol sale lockdowns, conversations over non-alcoholic wine, alcohol-free wine, or "de-alcoholised" wine have popped up more than usual. Which has in turn forced wine many die-hard wine lovers to explore some deep, dark, unchartered philosophical territory! They're having to take a look in the mirror, and ask, "would I still love wine if it didn't have the alcohol?" And who would I become if I started drinking it? Would I need to find a new circle of friends and start wearing pleather? 2021-02-0823 min
The Vinimark PodcastWomen in Wine: Economic inequalityPicking up where we left off with our Women in Wine webinar back in October, Vinimark Podcast host Jono Le Feuvre sits down for a conversation with Rose Kruger, winemaker at Stellekaya in Stellenbosch, about the complex web of challenges women in the local wine industry come up against on a regular basis. In this episode, Jono and Rose touch on a number of hurdles the majority of South African women have to clear in order to establish themselves as esteemed wine industry professionals. Apart from the gender gap we unpacked in the last episode with Samantha O’Ke...2020-12-0919 min
Ex Animo Wine Co.Kurt Moore, CEO SALBAToday on the podcast we have Kurt Moore, CEO of SALBA – the South African Liquor Brand owners Association. According to their website, their sole objective is to represent their members, who are manufacturers and distributors of liquor products in the liquor industry of South Africa, on issues of common interest.
Their members include an extensive list of heavy-hitting liquor industry stalwarts: DGB, Meridian, Vinimark, Distell, Pernod Ricard, Diageo, Stellenbosch Vineyards, KWV, Origin, Spier - - - the list goes on.
When I contacted Kurt and asked him to be on the podcast, he needed very little convincing. We quickly arranged a...2020-07-2121 min
Ex Animo Wine Co.Marc Kent, BoekenhoutskloofToday on the podcast we have Marc Kent, the Managing Partner and Technical Director of Boekenhoutskloof in Franschhoek.
Boekenhoutskloof is one of the huge success stories of the new South Africa – it not only has the Boekenhoutskloof range, it also has Wolftrap, Porcupine Ridge, Porseleinberg and there is a new project in the Hemel-en-Aarde. I would think that virtually everyone interested in South African wine would have had at least some contact with one of these brands in the last 20 years.
Marc is a fascinating guy, an original thinker, deeply influenced by the late Tim Rands (of Vinimark), and few pe...2020-04-2756 min
Ex Animo Wine Co.Richard Kelley MW, Dreyfus AshbyToday on the podcast we have Richard Kelley MW. Richard currently runs Dreyfus Ashby, an importer based in the UK specialising in South Africa and regional France, with a particular bias towards the Loire.
After Richard earnt his Master of Wine, he spent many years in the South African wine industry in the mid and late nighties working for Vinimark. He returned to the UK in the 2000s and has continued to champion South Africa in his home market and has worked with some of the most important producers of the last 20 years.
I wanted to chat to Richard about...2020-04-231h 09