MAPI VALLEY

Building the most progressive wine brand, together

By Mapi Valley

January 11^th, 2018

What are we up to?

We are building the Mapi Valley brand, and we dream to make it the most progressive wine and spirits brand ever. We create high quality limited series of wines and spirits, which financially empower a new generation of sommeliers and chefs in South Africa (and later also in many other places in the world). To do so we collaborate with progressive producers who reserve and label a certain amount of their wines for Mapi Valley.

Rising stars in wine and gastronomy collaborate with us, choosing wines and spirits for each limited edition. We dedicate every range to them, showcasing their image on the label and telling their story. We wish to inspire a larger public to also chase their dream and build a great life.

We've been aiming to create a project with a strong social element, and our wine brand is the perfect tool for that. Part of the profit from the sales will be invested in a new generation of sommeliers and chefs, providing them with more opportunities in education and gaining experience.

Marlvin Gwese - chef sommelier from Cape Grace Hotel (Cape Town, Western Cape), the "face" of our first limited series of wines.

What does "mapi valley" mean to us?

Mapi comes from the world Mapinduli. Which means springboard. It is a platform for enablement.

Valley refers to the valleys where grapes grow.

Combined, the name represents a place where anything is possible.

At Mapi Valley we say Cheers to Progress!

where are we now?

We are now releasing the first limited series with our sommelier Marlvin Gwese. He is the very first sommelier ON the bottle. More sommeliers and chefs on the bottle to follow soon!

Our wines will be available in South Africa, this is where we started in January 2018. We are shortly bringing the wines to Europe and the USA, where they will be sold online and also - make part of wine lists of strictly selected restaurants - who are our partners in this big endeavour.

First Mapi Valley test labels, in collaboration with Solms-Delta Wine Estate (Franschhoek, SA)

Why would wine and spirit producers want to collaborate with us?

First of all, we drive more sales for wineries. That helps them achieve their goals. On top of that, we co-brand the wines, as we mention the producer on the label, too. It's a joint effort and a great marketing force.

Last but not least, there’s the support for a new generation. Every socially responsible producer feels that it's important to make others shine in the industry, discovering new talents and opportunities. Mapi Valley allows them to help enable this new generation to do so.

Founders of Mapi Valley (on the right) with Marlvin Gwese and guys from BLACC (Black Cellar Club) at the launching event in Franschhoek.

what drives us most about the project?

Bram Medema, founder of Mapi Valley:

I strongly identify with the sommeliers, the chefs and their passion and bold dreams. It’s hard to bring that story across beyond the restaurant floor. We make a strong statement by putting the people in the spotlight. Well, actually we go so far to put them ON the bottle. It is these sommeliers and chefs, who find with us great limited series of wines. At Mapi Valley we believe that partnerships and collaboration are the future if you wish to be successful. In any industry, and also in wine & gastronomy. That’s why we work with established producers, very well known sommeliers and chefs, in order to jointly empower new generations of aspiring youngsters and rising stars.

We are looking for collaborations!

Our dream is to build a large global community of wine lovers and producers, to engage with them, share stories, inspire them to also chase their dream.

We are developing a global network of top sommeliers and chefs who will make a change.

If you would like to become a part of our community (as a producer, sommelier, chef etc), we welcome you to contact us! Let's build Mapi Valley together!