Hosted by WOSA , the
three-day exhibition gives the international wine fraternity an insight into
the depth and range of current winemaking and is attended by retail buyers,
restaurateurs, hoteliers, sommeliers, critics and journalists from across the
globe.
Cape Wine is the
largest show of its kind in the southern hemisphere. It provides a range of
exhibition formats to encourage established, independent and start-ups to
exhibit.
The headline sponsor of
the event is leading express logistics company DHL Express. Nampak, Africa's
foremost packaging company, has been confirmed as a secondary sponsor.
"We are thrilled
by such affirmation from exhibitors so early on in the game," said
Thompson. "Cape Wine is always extremely well supported by local wine
exporters but to have such extensive commitment already, as well as funding
from two key industry players, is unprecedented. It bodes very well for this
year's event."
Thompson attributes the
keen interest to the growing focus on South Africa as the source of exciting
and original wines. There has been a spate of foreign investment in the Cape
Winelands from the US, India and China, and mounting acclaim from influential
international critics and tastemakers such as Jancis Robinson MW, Andrew
Jefford, Tim Atkin MW and Neal Martin.
"Several
high-profile investors like Barbara Banke from Jackson Family Vineyards in the
US, and entrepreneurs Analjit Singh, from India and William Wu from China, have
recently added their names to the growing list of mostly European foreigners
involved in winemaking in the country. At the same time, prominent critics are
speaking up for the industry. Each one, in their own way has commented on the
growing confidence of many of the country's winemakers and their close
understanding of their sites, resulting in well-balanced and intriguing wines.
"The reputation we
are currently enjoying is the result of assiduous work over more than a decade
across several fronts. We have accelerated plant improvement programmes,
we are engaged in world-class vineyard and winemaking research and we are
collaborating across a broader international front than ever before.
Cumulatively, these steps have helped to produce a new generation of dynamic,
focused and often visionary people in the industry and curiosity from buyers
and observers is rising," said Thompson.
She confirmed that
amongst the international speakers at Cape Wine, from September 15 to 17, will
be Analjit Singh, founder of Max India Limited, with interests in life and
health insurance. He has recently expanded his investment in South African wine
and will be discussing the potential of participating in the local industry.
Singh, who owns vineyards in Franschhoek, a stake in Mullineux & Leeu
Family Wines and a luxury boutique hotel in the Winelands, told Cape Wine 2015
organisers: "I am exhilarated to be part of an unfolding wine journey in
the New World, where much value can still be added. It is far more rewarding than buying into an established winery in
one of the Old World wine-producing countries."
The speaker list also
includes WOSA chairman, Michael Jordaan, a former banker and now venture
capitalist; Thompson, in her capacity as WOSA CEO, and Western Cape Minister of
Economic Opportunities Alan Winde.
More details are
available from www.capewine2015.com,
where delegates can also register for the exhibition. Stay up-to-date via:
Facebook: Cape Wine 2015
and Twitter: @CapeWine2015