KLEINE ZALZE CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF SUCCESS IN THE SA WINE INDUSTRY

Stellenbosch winery, Kleine Zalze, is celebrating its first fifteen successful years within the SA wine industry this year and, in typical fashion, has chosen to share the occasion with some of their many friends in the trade, press and retail sectors, all of whom have helped them along the way.

The farm has come a long way from quite modest beginnings. Previously owned by wine and brandy wholesaler, Gilbeys, it was purchased by current owner Kobus Basson and his business partner Jan Malan in 1996. They immediately began to refurbish extensively, adding in an underground maturation cellar, developing the surrounding residential estate, opening the lodge and multi-award winning restaurant, Terroir in 2004 and throughout it all, garnering medals, awards and accolades for their wines around the world. But for Kobus, nothing is as important as the team of people around him and the relationships they have built up over the years.

“We couldn’t have achieved this success without the help and support of so many different people. I am humbled and grateful for all the consumers, retailers, distributors, press, friends and the team here on the farm, all of whom have been fantastic in their support of Kleine Zalze over the years. This is a time to reflect on our journey so far, and I am very happy and truly thankful to be at the point we are now” says Kobus. He pays particular tribute to winemaker Johan Joubert and Terroir chef, Michael Broughton who he credits with turning his vision of a food and wine lifestyle into reality. “Before I started in this industry, I travelled overseas to areas in France and Italy and saw, ate and drank wonderful things. And when I came back to South Africa, it seemed to me that there was no reason why we couldn’t all enjoy that fabulous lifestyle right here in Stellenbosch, and that is what Johan and Michael and their teams have created for everyone to share.”

The combination of food and wine is an important one for Kleine Zalze and Kobus, as he remembers one of his proudest moments over the last few years was Terroir becoming the first Stellenbosch restaurant to make the annual Eat Out Top Ten. “Since then, many other fantastic restaurants have opened up and now Stellenbosch has become a real food-lovers destination, rivalling Cape Town and Franschhoek. I am very proud of my team, and for us all, to be able to say that we’ve been a part of that.”

Video: (Filmed earlier this year) Ex Kleine Zalze marketing manager, Ross Sleet – General.

There have been plenty of other successes for Kleine Zalze over the last fifteen years and Kobus and his business partner Rolf Schulz (who bought Jan Malan’s share in 2005) is delighted to have the chance to thank so many friends for the parts that they have played. “We have had an amazing journey over the last fifteen years, but it isn’t finished by any means. There are plenty more things we hope to achieve with the help of our team of people here and the support of our friends in the industry. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ and raise a glass with them to an even more exciting future for Kleine Zalze.”

For further information on Kleine Zalze Wine Estate, visit www.kleinezalze.co.za

Source: www.manley-communications.com  Video: BottlePlatePillow

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