With a “clink”, a “clank”, “chin-chin” and “cheers!” South Africa Wine celebrated its anniversary of 365 years and our unique heritage dating back to 2 February 1659.
This early birthday celebration was held on Tuesday 21 November where South Africa Wine joined industry stakeholders at the country’s oldest wine estate, Groot Constantia, to celebrate this South African industry’s vintage heritage.
“In the heart of South Africa, where vines weave a tapestry of tradition and innovation, we celebrate the unique spirit of our nation’s wine industry, a legacy dating to the 17th century,” said Rico Basson, SA Wine CEO.
“As we raise a glass to this remarkable journey, we honour not just the vineyards, but the people who breathe life into every grape and the progress that propels us into a future where excellence and diversity intertwine. We look forward to another birthday celebration for South African wine – its people, products, and progress are a testament to the enduring beauty of our cultural heritage.”
Thanks to a diary entry by Jan van Riebeeck, the date of conception of SA’s wine industry is celebrated today. And as Groot Constantia CEO Jean Naudé told People’s Post: “You know, Van Riebeeck had a ‘Main Gardener’ called Hendrik Boom. He arrived in the Cape in 1652 and was the first man to plant vines, which were imported in 1657.”
It was in 1679 that the wine industry in South Africa became organised, according to wine.co.za’s history of Hendrik Boom Wines.
“It would’ve been more appropriate had Boom written the diary entry. But ja… it was Van Riebeeck,” Naudé jokingly added.
SA Wine calls upon the wine industry, tourism sector, local and international partners, SA trade, and retailers to participate in this celebration, driving global awareness of our wine, while encouraging the essence of our remarkable industry – rich in diversity, innovation, and leadership.
“If they’ve managed to commercialise Valentine’s Day, why can’t we do the same for SA Wine’s birthday?” Basson wondered.
The industry provides opportunities to 269 000 people and close to 1 million of their dependants, and is worth more than R55 billion in gross domestic product (GDP).
“SA is the only country in the world that can accurately pinpoint the exact date of origin of its wine industry, due to a diary entry from 2 February 1659,” added Wesgro’s Chief Tourism Officer Monica Iuel.
Wesgro is the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape. Wesgro re-joined the Great Wine Capitals global network in 2020. Founded in 1999, the Great Wine Capitals global network is the only wine body encompassing the so-called “old” and “new” worlds of wine.
This collection of curated stakeholders’ wish for this birthday campaign is to create ambassadors for South African wine through responsible consumption, while creating even more job opportunities. Industry members, wine enthusiasts and supporters are hereby invited to share in the celebrations this February by making use of the free items specially created to mark the occasion, including videos, maps and artwork.
Iuel called for locals to join in the celebration of South Africa’s Wine Birthday Month, “through sharing content on your social media platforms that encourage locals to get out into the regions and inspires potential visitors across the globe to come and experience the breadth and depth of world-class wine tourism experiences on offer in Cape Town and the Western Cape.”
Raise a glass and toast to 365 years of award-winning South African wine with the following hashtags on all socials: #HappyBirthdaySAWine, #ToUs #SAWineSince1659 and #DiscoverCTWC.
