The No. 1 Selling SA Wine Brand In The World* Is Returning Home

Launched in 1995, Kumala wines, an Accolade Wines brand, is the number one selling South African wine brand in the world* with over 30 million bottles of wine sold in the UK, Europe, Canada, Asia and the USA each year.

With 20 years of experience creating delicious wine for international markets, Kumala has decided to return to their roots and bring their delicious wines to more South African stores. “We have taken the time to craft a range of wines to impress wine lovers abroad and we now believe that the time is finally right to relaunch our range into the South African market. We are excited to introduce a new generation of Kumala wines to South African wine lovers, who are spoilt for choice with phenomenal local wine brands,” says Bruce Jack, Chief Winemaker for Accolade Wines South Africa.

Kumala’s story is not one of overnight success, it spans 20 years. Instead, the team believe that their success is sweeter because of the time it’s taken to get to where they are in the market. Learning from their journey, Kumala believes in the importance of being fully present in the moment and are constantly working to encourage people to take the time to do things properly. It is for this reason that their wines have received such high acclaim internationally.

Sourced from some of the best vineyards in the Western Cape, from Paarl and Stellenbosch through to Worcester, and as far as the Olifants River, each vintage of Kumala is unique as the wines are all given the time to mature and develop at their own speed. In keeping with the brand’s ethos of taking time to allow for perfection,  Ben Jordaan, Kumala’s wine maker notes: “It’s all about the time needed for the grapes to develop the perfect flavours from which we create our range of vibrant wines. We believe that while it is important to make wines that add joy to life, those wines should also be produced in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable manner.”

Each bottle of Kumala is certified with the Integrity and Sustainability Seal, from the Wine and Spirit Board and, by 2018, Jordaan aims have all of the Kumala wines certified by The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association (WIETA). Whether you prefer wine that is dry and fruity, mellow and full-bodied or light and crisp, you are guaranteed to find a wine within the Kumala range that suits your particular tastes and palate.

Kumala Zenith Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz is available at all Checkers stores, and other selected outlets from around R29.99 per bottle. Kumala Reserve Shiraz is in Big 5 Duty Free and Kumala Zenith Rosé and Kumala Zenith Chenin Blanc Chardonnay are currently only for sale at the Flagstone Cellar Door, selected wine specialist outlets and numerous restaurants. All the wines are available for purchase at the Flagstone Tasting Room and can also be ordered telephonically and be delivered. Kumala’s plan for 2016 is to extend its distribution to get its full range onto more shelves and wine lists.

A select number of media and influencers joined Kumala Wines for a tweet-up wine tasting on Wednesday 9 December to get a first taste of the Kumala Reserve Shiraz, Kumala Zenith Rosé and Kumala Zenith Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay. Some participated in the tasting at the Table Bay Hotel where others joined virtually.  The tweet-up tasting was hosted by Karen Glanfield and Ben Jordaan, winemaker for Kumala Wines. Guests at the Table Bay Hotel was also surprised with a special Flagstone tasting that was presented by Bruce Jack, Chief Winemaker for Accolade Wines.

The wine tasting was followed by a press conference with Sir Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham talking about his epic, eight day walk across South Africa for charity.  Day 1 of ‘Beefy’s Walk’, on Thursday 10 December, started at the Table Bay Hotel walking to Llandudno beach. Days 2 to 8 sees Sir Ian and friends walking in Hout Bay, Stellenbosch, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Soweto, Johannesburg and ends in Pretoria on 17 December.

“Kumala is delighted to be partnering with ‘Beefy’ on his walk of the Rainbow Nation. The work that Sir Ian has done through his Foundation, raising over £13 million (R279 million) to date for wonderful causes, is an astonishing achievement and one that we are proud to be associated with,” says Paul Schaafsma, Global Chief Executive Officer of Accolade Wines, Kumala’s parent company.”

“We are particularly appreciative that they will be starting their walk on Day 3 at Kayamandi Primary school in Stellenbosch, a school that the Kumala brand has helped develop in recent years as part of Accolade Wines’ 10 year support of education in the Kayamandi Township,” conclude Schaafsma.

All of the proceeds from the walk will be divided equally between Nazareth House, The Chipembere Rhino Foundation, the Kliptown Youth Program and The Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa. For more details please visit the website: www.beefywalkingtherainbownation.com

For further information visit the Kumala website www.kumala.co.za
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/KumalaWines
Instagram www.instagram.com/kumalawines/ and
Twitter @kumalawines #kumalawine

You can visit Flagstone Winery and Tasting Room at AECI, Heartland Properties, De Beers Road, Somerset Wes or contact them on 021 850 5891 http://flagstonewines.com/contact

*based on 9 litre case volumes