Glenelly Wines: Luke O’Cuinneagain, Head 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: Luke O’Cuinneagain

Luke O’Cuinneagain was born in Cape Town in 1980 to an Irish father and English mother, who immigrated after coming here on their honeymoon. Many of his family members are in medicine so he considers himself the ‘black sheep’ of the clan.

His middle brother introduced him to the wonders of wine and he worked at Constantia Uitsig while at university, which really fed his interest. André Badenhorst was there at the time and showed Luke the intricacies of wine. He initially went to Stellenbosch to become a vet but soon succumbed to the siren of the vines, eventually working at Rustenberg with another Badenhorst, Adi, to whom he says he owes “a great deal”.