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Mapi Valley first event - launching our wine label

Featuring aspiring somms from BLACC (Black Wine Cellar)

By Mapi Valley

January 11^th, 2018

4 January 2018 - we launched our first limited edition wine series

While we are busy finalising the labels, talking to restaurants about featuring our wines in their menus, and preparing bottles for export, here are some memories from the day when we gathered at the Solms-Delta Wine Estate and presented our big plan.

Marlvin Gwese, holding the first labeled wine bottles with his image on them.

Marlvin gwese - our first hero

Marlvin Gwese gained his Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits in February 2016 and is now Head Sommelier at Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa, listed as one of the top 50 hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler in 2016. He is a proud owner of the Cape Wine Academy Diploma (en route to Cape Wine Masters!).

His story: "I realised my passion for wine when I started working in restaurants that had good wine lists. I only studied IT - I never worked in that field - and when I tasted my first wine I realised that I wanted to learn more about the beverage. Growing up in Zimbabwe, in a non-drinking family and beer drinking nation, it was quite a challenge to be exposed to wine, but I am really enjoying it."

we wanted to unite aspiring wine enthusiasts and sommeliers and listen to their stories

We reached out to the BLACC (Black Cellar Club) - a wonderful initiative, reaching out to black Africans who are interested in furthering their wine knowledge. The organization aims to achieve Black empowerment in the wine industry, both within the Republic of South Africa and throughout the African continent. Mapi Valley decided to select the first hero among the members, who will later qualify for the investment in education, sponsored by us.

Mapi Valley first event - launching our wine label

Blind tasting with marlvin gwese

Together with Marlvin, we organized a blind tasting for the guests, it was fun and insightful experience. How many talented and truly in-love-with-wine people are there!

Only seven members of BLACC joined the event, and shared their stories in wine. Every story is inspiring and different. Every guy is talented and driven, dreaming of venturing out in the world of wine and gastronomy. Each of them can become a real star some day. This is what Mapi Valley stands for - empowerment and inspiration.

LLOYD - member of South african sommelier association

His story: "My wine journey began in 1998 when I got employed as a runner in one of the top Restaurants back then. Assisting waiters was my job and as a person who is so eager to learn and understand what's going on around me, I starting giving more than what was expected, and at the end of the shift I got some spare change in my pocket and I got to drink leftover wine with my seniors.

However, I moved up the ladder eventually, and my passion for wine became bigger. So that I enrolled in a short wine course called "Let's sell Lobster Project Laduma Wine course". The days of Project Laduma were Before Cape Wine Academy was introduced, so the course carried less weight but had all the basic education for beginners.

As time passed, and my wine knowledge became broader, I joined B L A C C cellar club that took me to most of wine farms in the province, including Solms-Delta where they took us through all the processes: from grapes hanging on the vine to the wine in my glass going into my system.

I am so fortunate and proud to be a member of SASA(South African Sommerliers Association)!

I started to self-develop myself academically and completed WSET Wine and Spirit Courses via heading for top Levels.

Back to my roots:

I was more of a beer drinker, so convincing my friends and family to drink wine was not successful so I decided to go solo.

Wine Is My Life, I drink it, I live it and would like to make a mark and leave a Legacy behind. Even in the time of writing this story I am relaxing to a chilled Glass of Chenin Blanc."

Wellington - sommelier at "wine concepts"

His story: "My journey started in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo where l worked as a teacher majoring in Mathematics and Agriculture.

Coming to South Africa and joining the hospitality industry, I became so passionate to learn about the grapes! I did my Level 2 WSET and l am looking forward to write Level 3 WSET this March!"

winston - "the wine preacher"

His story: "I was raised in a Christian family and was looked up as the next family pastor. Got an bursary to study Pastrol Studies in Canada, but did not have travelling money to go overseas, so I decided to come to work in South Africa in construction to raise funds. But it happened that I chose to become a referee and got hooked up as runner in a restaurant later.

My life decisions and goals changed the moment I took a sip of left-over wine from guests. The drink that I used to watch only and knew from magazines and t.v shows, made me swipe the Bible and a bursary to a glass wine. Now I can, and I am preaching nothing but wine only!"

shane - connecting markEting and wine

His story: "I am currently working at Lourensford part time, and finished my last year of studying Marketing I still have too do my practical.

My love for wine started in 2015, when I got the opportunity to study at PYDA for 12 months wine. Then I decided to do my Cape Wine academy and also WSET2."

Melusi - a long way to becoming a somm

His story: "I was born in a Christian family in Zimbabwe. Came to South Africa in 2008. At the beginning I found myself working in the gardens, then grew up to a restaurant cleaning. It was in Riebeek-Kasteel, under Bar Bar Black Sheep Restaurant. I then moved to Franschhoek, where I was employed as a barman at Rueben restaurant. Then I left for pre-opening at Ritz Carlton in Abu Dhabi Grand Canal in 2012. Unfortunately, things did not work out there the way I thought, so I decided to come back to South Africa.

My journey in the world of wine was long and challenging. Being born in a Christian family, I never tried alcoholic beverages before I started working as a waiter. But after I tasted wine for the first time, I fell instantly in love. So I had to drink and read in order to know. Actually, it was discovering something gold. A voice calling your name. And you have to answer.

I'm currently working as a sommelier at Ellerman House in Cape Town. I want to be a true ambassador of wine!"

Falakhe - bringing his passion for wine to life

His story: "I am currently a Contract Manager at Table bay hotel, working for Platinum hospitality outsourcing company. I recently did my WSET Level 3. For the love of wine I do all my studies from my pocket ,as my line of work do not support such. I fell in love with the glass in 2009, while working at 12Apostles hotel under the mentorship of Luvo Ntezo. Later grew more into it when I worked at Nobu restaurant at the One&Only hotel. I'm truly in love with wine and wine culture, hope to work more in this area."

Washington

join our community!

Let's grow together! If you are a producer wanting to make a limited edition with our label and story, or a sommelier/chef wishing to be featured - drop us a line!

joinus@mapivalley.com

Footnotes

Cheers to progress!

Button Label

FootNotes

Cheers to progress!

First Mapi Valley range

Official launch

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MAPI VALLEY

Building the most progressive wine brand, together

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