Carrie's Connoisseurs

Stellenbosch Wine Route chairperson on 50th anniversary

Carrie Adams chats to Mike Ratcliffe, a co-founder and Managing partner of Vilafonte Wines. However, in this podcast, our wine expert chats to him in his capacity as chairperson of the Stellenbosch Wine Route - which turns 50 this year.

5 May 2021 27 min

Jonah Naidoo, owner of boutique liquor store, Dry Dock Liquor

BIZNEWS | BIZNEWS RADIO Joining Carrie Adams in her naughty corner for Festive Friday is Jonah Naidoo, one of the founders of Dry Dock Liquor. The boutique store, situated in Parkhurst, which Naidoo describes as a "community business." He and Carrie discuss surviving the Covid-19 pandemic as a liquor vendor…

26 Apr 2021 15 min

Karen Short, the woman who revolutionised South African catering

In this episode, the doyenne of the South African wine industry Carrie Adams speaks to Adrian Short, the CEO of By Word of Mouth. The catering company was started by Short's wife, Karen, in 1993 and continues to shine as one of the finest catering (and catering related) companies in…

23 Apr 2021 29 min

The Iona story – founder Andrew Gunn

In the late 90’s, Johannesburg businessman Andrew Gunn left the hubbub of Egoli in pursuit of his next career move – farming. Described as a “pig in a poke” by Gunn, his apple farm was soon transformed into a gorgeous vineyard. Nearly 25 years later, Andrew Gunn runs Iona, a…

20 Apr 2021 14 min

Wikus Human, the unassuming, reserved – and very talented sommelier

Joining Carrie Adams in her naughty corner this week is Wikus Human, a young sommelier who our wine queen describes as “very talented and making a huge name for himself through sheer hard work and a long love affair with wine”. Wikus joins Carrie to discuss all things wine.

17 Apr 2021 18 min

'What the government is doing to the wine industry is absolutely unacceptable' - Wendy Appelbaum

Joining Carrie Adams in her naughty corner is Wendy Appelbaum, a prominent South African businesswoman and chair of DeMorgenzon wine estate. The generous philanthropist weighs in on the massive impact the various alcohol bans have had on the alcohol industry in SA.

8 Apr 2021 15 min

Karl Lambour of Tokara, a national treasure of the wine industry

Karl Lambour is no stranger to the winelands. After studying viticulture – among other things – at Stellenbosch University, Lambour worked in a number of wine institutions before ending up at Tokara. He is the General Manager of what Carrie Adams describes as a “much-loved national treasure of the wine…

2 Apr 2021 33 min

‘Mr Chenin Blanc’, Ken Forrester

In the early nineties, Ken Forrester and his family settled into a rundown farm in the Stellenbosch area. He and his wife, Teresa, renovated the Chenin farm, transforming it into what it is today. When asked why Chenin, Forrester replies ‘It was well-established. I’d been to France and I’d seen…

27 Mar 2021 11 min

Andrea Mullineux, international winemaker of the year

At the inaugural BizNews Investment Conference, wine expert Carrie Adams was on-hand to entertain and educate delegates about wine and all that goes with it. One of the wines that was showcased was Andrea Mullineux’s Kloof Street Chenin Blanc. Award-winning Andrea joined the BizNews Power Hour, chatting to Adams about…

24 Mar 2021 11 min

SA will always be our primary market – Schalk-Willem Joubert

After serving as CEO of Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons, Schalk-Willem Joubert took over the reigns at Pink Valley. The farm is unique, in that it’s the only farm in the Cape that just makes rosé. Joubert sits down with resident wine expert Carrie Adams to talk about what’s happening in…

21 Mar 2021 23 min

Catherine Marshall, a jewel in the crown of SA winemaking

Renowned winemaker Catherine Marshall joined Carrie Adams for the BizNews festive Friday. After graduating, Marshall landed apprenticeships at a number of local cellars and obtained winemaking experience overseas, spending time in France and the US. She has received many awards – both locally and internationally – and has served as…

18 Mar 2021 13 min

Celebrating wine with Dan Nicholl

Described as ‘a complete and utter asset to South Africa’, Dan Nicholl joined our host and wine expert, Carrie Adams, to talk and celebrate all things wine. Born in Belfast and brought up in Zimbabwe, Nicholl worked as a sports commentator in South Africa, where his passion for wine grew

12 Mar 2021 28 min

Remembering ‘Spatz’ Sperling – Delheim’s Nora Thiel

Wine Expert Carrie Adams chats with Nora Thiel, daughter of the legendary Michael Hans ‘Spatz’ Sperling, about her pioneering father and his amazing story in the SA wine industry. Nora is the director of Delheim Wines.

6 Mar 2021 22 min

All things Italian with George Dalla Cia

George Dalla Cia of Dalla Cia Wines joins expert Carrie Adams to talk all things Italian. The family-owned winery has released a sparking pinot grigio, which the pair discuss in great detail – from the vine to the bottle.

28 Feb 2021 12 min

Mitigating the effects of Covid-19 in the wine industry

Wayne Buckley, the national sales and marketing manager for Wildekrans Wine Estate, joins Carrie Adams to discuss the government’s discrimination against the alcohol industry. Buckley details what Wildekrans has done to lessen the severe effects of Covid-19 on winemakers in South Africa.

25 Feb 2021 15 min

‘We are very passionate about our local market’ – Anthonij Rupert Wines

Carrie Adams talks to Gareth Robertson of Anthonij Rupert Wines. The marketing manager of the Franschhoek-based winery discusses challenges the alcohol industry has faced over the past year, as well as planning for the upcoming harvest.

22 Feb 2021 18 min

Unpacking government’s approach to the liquor industry during Covid-19

Carrie Adams sits down with Michael Fridjhon – a wine critic and specialist – to discuss government’s handling of the liquor industry during the Covid-19 lockdown. Adams describes the award-winning journalist and wine expert as ‘an overall asset to the South African wine industry’.

19 Feb 2021 27 min

Talking brandy with Cape winemaster, Winnie Bowman

In this episode, wine expert Carrie Adams sits down with Winnie Bowman, a renowned Cape wine master. The pair discuss the history of brandy in South Africa – and the importance the often overlooked liquor has to the local wine industry.

16 Feb 2021 17 min

Vilafonte Vineyards – creating real brands in a world of a million labels

Anybody who knows about the SA wine industry knows Mike Ratcliffe. The son of Norma Ratcliffe – a pioneer of winemaking women in South Africa and founder of Warwick Wine Estate – Michael launched his own brand, Vilafonte, over twenty years ago. Fine wine critic Carrie Adams sits down with…

9 Feb 2021 12 min

VinPro, wine industry body, taking South African govt to court over alcohol ban

Internationally esteemed fine wine critic, Carrie Adams, chats to Mutle Mogase of VinPro. The national wine industry body announced this week that it is taking the SA government to court, in an effort to retract the ban on alcohol sales. Among VinPro’s demands, is for the prohibition in the Western…

28 Jan 2021 14 min