Eighth Wonder Wines

Yes, it is officially the first day of autumn in the Cape Winelands today. Winter is steadily approaching while my frost-bitten friends in the States can’t wait for their summer weather to kick in….and also counting the days till their next shipment of 8^th Wonder Wines arrive!  The 8^th Wonder Wine brand is one of my favourite projects that I'm part of at the moment.  It is the brainchild of Matt Grove with business partner Scott Lively, founders of the Katama Food Company and pioneers in the organic and sustainable food industry in the US.  

Ferry to Martha's Vineyard

I was a little bit apprehensive when Grant Davis (from Vinglo) first introduced me to these two loquacious Americans, but after hearing their story and realising the potential of this brand I was hooked. I subsequently spend some time with the two of them in the States last year and between sipping Pinotage from a paper cup on a sunset ferry cruise to Martha's Vineyard with Scott, to chasing runaway luggage pieces down the plummeting streets of Seattle with Matt, I realised there will never be a dull moment while I'm part of this team.  8^th Wonder brings top quality sustainable wine to the United States.  The name refers to the exceptional quality of the product but also the association with the majestic Table Mountain - which was voted one of the 'New 7 Wonders of Nature' and which all Capetonians lovingly believe to the be world's Eighth Wonder.

This brand encompasses two things I feel very passionate about.  First of all: good wine (no surprises there).  And secondly: living sustainably.  Now, you might not know this about me but I'm a firm believer in climate change and that we must live more responsibly towards the environment.  I recycle, make my own compost and dabble in growing my own veggies at home (an art I have still to perfect as warding off pests are proving to be a bit tricky).  So what has this got to do with wine?  

Well, the South African wine industry is miles ahead of the competition when it comes to looking after the environment.  We have a dedicated organization (the IPW) that makes sure wineries and farms keep to the rules when it comes to things like using water sparingly, the usage of cleaning chemicals and pesticides that aren't harmful to the environment, using GMO free products,  recycling in a responsible manner and using biodegradable packaging material where possible (like using corks instead of screw caps).  Wineries are subjected to a strict audit each year and if they pass, they are allowed to use the SUSTAINABILITY AND TRACEABILITY SEAL on every bottle produced that vintage.  This guarantees that the wine was made in a sustainable way and also assures the trustworthiness of everything on the label including vintage, cultivar and origin.  This seal is a revolutionary marketing tool which I believe can open doors for our industry if we can make buyers aware of it.  And that is exactly what the people behind 8th Wonder are doing in the States!  

The range includes four wines.  First is the Good Hope Chardonnay which is perfectly balanced with just the right amount of oak.  Secondly we have the Silver Tree Meritage Red, a fruit driven and voluptuous Bordeaux blend.  Our Lively Grove Pinotage is next, displaying gorgeous ripe cherry and plum flavours with subtle oaky tones.  And our flagship, the Silver Tree Reserve Meritage, is a true classic and powerful blend of brooding dark fruits and textured layers of complexity.  Two new additions to the brand are planned for later in the year, I'm so excited!  Will keep you posted.  

For more on Eighth Wonder Wine and what they are up to please visit their Facebook page.