Ataraxia Wines: Kevin Grant, Owner/Winemaker

Why South Africa? We are supporting the wine producing country most hard hit by the lock down.

Wine producers in the Cape were left reeling after the South African government announced a ban on transporting alcohol that effectively shut down wine exports. The wine industry suffered a steep fall in income, as alcohol sales were prohibited during the lockdown.

“The industry employs up to 700,000 people directly on average and provides food and shelter to 2 to 3 million people.” — Michael Fridjhon. He is a leading wine writer and independent commentator. Michael is a well known international wine judge and chairman of the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. As visiting Professor of Wine Business at the University of Cape Town, Michael has been an advisor to the Minister of Agriculture.

Rico Basson, CEO of Vinpro, which which represents 3 500 South African wine producers, cellars and other industry stakeholders, said wine tourism had suffered crippling losses between March and June – usually a busy time locally, he noted.

“A significant factor in the estimated loss is the strong domestic support that wine tourism in South Africa enjoys, especially over traditional school holidays and Easter weekend,” Basson said.

According to a report by Vinpro, South Africa’s wine tourism industry’s direct and indirect GDP contribution was R7.2 billion in 2019.

Included in your registration:

• 6 sample bottles (50ml ea, 1 sample bottle of 6 different wines)
• Online Masterclass with the winemaker
• Hosted by a Cork & Fork Logan Team Member
• 20% discount on all featured wines (minimum purchase of 3 bottles)
• Access to the online class, password protected (emailed after registration)

Details:

• Sample pack available for pick up after online event registration
• Sample pack available for delivery for $20 within a 10-mile radius
• Sample pack available for shipping within the USA for $30 via FedEx

– About the Guest Speaker: Kevin Grant

Born in Blantyre, Malawi and schooled at Rondebosch Boys High School in Cape Town, Kevin graduated with a B.Sc. Honours in Zoology from the University of Pretoria. Always drawn to winemaking, he went on to complete a Diploma in Cellar Technology at Elsenburg Agricultural College. Here he graduated as Dux student in 1990. He regularly undertakes study/harvest trips to France, Oregon, Australia and New Zealand.

His winery is located in Hemel-en-Aarde, a phrase that in Afrikaans means “heaven and earth” and the claim is justified. Kevin’s estate sits on a particularly heavenly stretch of land beneath a lofty peak of the Babylon’s Tower mountain range. In addition to its unrelenting beauty, Ataraxia is home to some of the most spectacular terroirs South Africa has to offer. In 2004, The Skyfields Farm was visioned into the Ataraxia wine label when husband and wife, Kevin and Hanli Grant, and a few friends purchased this 47-hectare prime vineyard property. More than a decade later, they are associated with crafting wines of incredible finesse, balance, and depth; wines that proudly hold their own on the international wine stage.