Wine Adventures from Cellar to Sky
We’re all excited for the start of the Springbok rugby season — and just as excited here at Bizoe Wines! Our Rikus Neethling Sauvignon Blanc will be flying around the world with South African Airways over the next few weeks. If you’re travelling internationally or spending time in one of the South African airport lounges, be sure to fill your glass with a Rikus Neethling Sauvignon Blanc 2024.
Just this week, we completed the bottling of our Bizoe Estalet Syrah 2023. The rest of our wines are currently maturing in barrels, and things have quieted down in the cellar. Walking in on a cold winter’s morning, with the smell of wine and oak in the air — it’s something truly special. This time of year, it’s all about patience: letting the wine develop in the barrel. We regularly top up the barrels to prevent oxidation from evaporation and ensure everything matures perfectly.
As we move deeper into winter, attention shifts to the vineyard, where pruning will soon begin. Each year, I usually write a blog about this nurturing process — and how meaningful it is to see the first new shoots appear, full of promise for the next harvest. I won’t repeat that story this year, but I will say: it remains one of the most rewarding parts of the winemaking journey.
Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting a harvest table-style dinner with Sydney from Zest Bistro. Dinner at Zest is always an intimate affair, with a warm fire setting the tone and Sydney’s incredible food on the table. Cosy dining, family-style, with great wine in your glass — if you’re looking for a quiet evening with fantastic food, Zest Bistro in Pretoria is the place to be.
Another first for me was Wine and Dine at KOI on 16th — a unique experience on the 16th floor of the Trilogy Capital Hotel in Menlyn Main. Watching the sunset over the Pretoria skyline, sipping on a glass of Rikus Neethling Grenache Rosé 2024, and moving through a five-course meal paired with some of the best Bizoe Wines — it was an evening to remember. For a romantic night out, I highly recommend booking a table at KOI on 16th.
Looking ahead, we’re getting ready for one of our favourite events: Vino de Camino in Prince Albert, happening the weekend of 16 August. Bizoe Wines will be stationed at The Rude Chef Restaurant on Main Road. If you’re in the area, come say hello — we’d love to see you there.
