Category Archives for South Africa

Cathy Van Zyl

Episode 65 – Cathy Van Zyl MW – South African Wines in 2026 – her own projects and life in wine


An episode that was a long time in the making. Cathy is my wine mentor and a great friend.

I am a big fan of the modern wines coming out of South Africa. So after a very long time away from the podcast, I was delighted when Cathy said yes to this interview.

Cathy has been a Master of Wine for 20 years, the first from the African continent to become an MW.

After a few years on the IMW committee, mainly heading the educational committee, Cathy served as the Chair of the Institute of Masters of Wine for two years, finishing her role just over a year ago, in Autumn 2024.

She regularly lectures and judges wines internationally.

For the last 20 years, Cathy has been involved with producing the fantastic Platter’s Guide to the Wines of South Africa. First, as a taster and about 12 years ago, as an Associate Editor, alongside the Editor, her Husband, Philip Van Zyl.

More recently, Cathy has taken the role of Director of The Old Vine Project.

She has started a company called Master-Classes, with her friend and business partner, Natasha Hughes MW, where they run seminars preparing candidates and students who are already on the programme to the demands of the Master of Wine studies. Their site can be reached at www.master-classes.org

In our conversation, we chatted about her role as Associate Editor of the Platter’s Wine Guide,

Her involvement with the Old Vine Project, her latest venture of Master Classes, and things she recommends to look out for from South Africa’s vineyards in 2026!

As it is a week before Christmas, I was curious as to what would grace Cathy and Philip’s table.

Enjoy and happy holidays!

Moshe

Episode 40 – Paul Cluver – Elgin, South Africa, how a wine region is born


In this episode, I was talking to Father and son team of Paul Cluver Senior and Junior about their Elgin vineyards and wines. It is a fascinating account filled with brave and visionary decisions and visions. Planting a vineyard against all professional advice, in times when South African wines were not exported in any volume and when there was no other vineyard planted anywhere in the valley.

We chatted about the early years, planting and trying hard to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot despite the cool climate, aiming to make a Bordeaux blend, and how finally, after advice from Paul Pontallier of Chateau Margaux, deciding to abandon those and realising the region’s potential of world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

You can also hear them describe their wines, from the village series, to the Estate range to the flagship label of Seven flags, now considered amongst South Africa’s best Pinot and Chardonnay.

Sustainability, climate change, growing tomatoes and figs also featured.

Continue reading →

Episode 38 – Pinot Noir in South Africa’s cool regions Elgin v Hemel-en-Aarde Zoom Meeting


In this live webinar, Cathy Van Zyl MW and I hosted Hannes Storm (Storm Wines) and Richard Kershaw MW (Richard Kershaw Wines) for a comprehensive discussion about the Pinot Noir wines of Elgin and Hemel-en-Aarde in South Africa.

We heard from them about the unique terroir in each zone, their choices of vineyard sites, clones, rootstock as well as the challenges, such as disease and pests (watch out for the Baboons!)

You can hear Hannes and Richard describing their wines, with in-depth analysis and explanation as to how each component of the Terroir translate to the final result in your glass.

For Pinot Noir lovers and especially for seekers of new and exciting regions, this episode is a must!

The presentation can also be viewed on our youtube channel, which you can access via www.inthevineyardwith.com under the Video section, where you can also find Richard Kershaw’s presentation.

Episode 22 – Cathy Van Zyl MW Growing Cabernet in South Africa’s wine region of Stellenbosch


In this session,  I hosted Cathy Van Zyl MW, Christo Le Riche, Cellar Master at Le Riche Wines and Chairman of the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective and Alastair Rimmer, Cellar Master at Kleine Zalze winery.

We discussed the intricate details of the Stellenbosch Vineyards. Their complex geology, topography, soils, vineyard aspects, wind influences and of course, how all that translates to the liquid in the glass!

During this session, Christo and Alastair shared some fantastic 3D maps of Stellenbosch and other South African wine region, to emphasise geology, temperature variations between the regions and much more.

Listening to the audio session is highly recommended, as ever, but I feel that following this up with watching the YouTube recordings will give you a better insight from the excellent images shared so kindly by those passionate experts.

Enjoy listening and watching and please remember to drop me a line in the comment box. It is always great to hear what you think of the show and of course,  if you have a future region or a grower you’d like to hear about in future recordings.

Cathy Van Zyl MW

Episode 19 – Chenin Blanc tour of South Africa with Ken Forrester and Andrea Mullineux


Listen to Cathy Van Zyl MW and Me in conversation with two of South Africa’s most respected winemakers. The charismatic “King of Chenin” Ken Forrester and one of Swartland’s biggest ambassadors, Andrea Mullineux. Comparing Chenin from their regions, the terroir characteristics, preferences in the vineyard and in the winery.

This is a first in a series of conversations with Cathy and myself, covering the major regions of this stunning country. On our tour, we will chat to truly inspiring winemakers.

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