uniWines Vineyards Extends Offering to Craft Beer Through Wild Clover Brewery

A supplier of quality wine to the local and international markets, which includes a Fairtrade offering, uniWines Vineyards and Wild Clover have established a new company – Wild Clover Breweries.

According to Ferdinand Appel, CEO of uniWines Vineyards, the venture into craft beer is aimed at expanding the winery’s beverage offering. “Our substantial wine range, based on an annual harvest of over 45 000 tons of wine grapes, will be complemented by the synergy with the quality craft beer sector,” he says. “This will include offering craft beer to our current national and international wine clients who have already expressed interest in accessing South Africa’s dynamic and growing craft beer industry.”

The joint venture will also allow the current Wild Clover brewery based in Koelenhof, Stellenbosch to increase its brewing capacity and to extend its tourist facilities.

Wild Clover CEO Ampie Kruger says the local demand for craft beer is exceeding supply. “The co-operation with uniWines Vineyards will allow me to expand production, improve distribution and get a foot into the export market where South African craft beers are actually generating a lot of interest.

The current Wild Clover range includes a Double Owl English Brown Ale, Black Dog Smokey Irish Porter, Blind Mole Crispy German Pils and Eagle Weiss Fruity Belgian Wit.

Appel says that the quality of Wild Clover’s craft beer played a profound role in uniWines Vineyards decision to partner the brewery.

“With a range of good wines and a selection of quality beers, uniWines Vineyards hopes to increase its presence in the beverage sector,” he says. “We will soon be offering the Wild Clover range for tasting and purchase at our tasting venue in Rawsonville, capitalising on the growth of tourism in the area.”