Behind every great wine is a great story, and that is certainly the case with the exciting South African wines being created by Ngiyi Mbali Wines. Founder Mbali Masike brings her own personality and taste profiles into each individual wine she creates, sharing personal family stories and creating unique memories for her customers. This month sees the launch of the new iDlozi Collection of wines, inspired by three strong women members of Mbali’s own family.
The new iDlozi Limited Edition Collection from Ngiyi Mbali Wines features three highly individual wines, all personally named by founder Mbali Masike and honouring members of her family. Mbuzi Veldt is a Cabernet Sauvignon; Nomashutu is a Shiraz; and Mabeke is a Merlot.
Introducing the iDlozi Collection
Mbuzi Veldt - a Cabernet Sauvignon that has a very special place in founder Mbali’s heart. This wine has an intensely dark opacity brimming with black fruits. It is complex and yet well rounded with a smoky aftertaste. Pair it with goat cheese tarts, exotic meats such as Kudu, Springbok, Wartogand and the unique South African goat poitjie.
Nomashutu - a Shiraz inspired by Mbali’s late grandmother of the same name. This wine is a wooded Shiraz with spicy savoury and peppery tones. It is a full bodied wine infused with ripe oak. Pair it with hard aged cheese, grilled or braai meats, lamb especially leg of lamb, and smoked chicken.
Mabeke - a Merlot inspired by Mbali’s late Auntie from her father’s side who taught her all she knows about being a Zulu girl. This is an exquisite wine with plum and chocolate undertones, and nuances of Mocha and ripe cherries on the palate. It is soft yet well rounded. Pair it with grilled beef, strong cheese, garlic chicken, lamb and pork roast.
To find out more or to place an order, contact Mbali and her team at Ngiyi Mbali Wines via the website www.ngiyimbali.co.za
About Ngiyi Mbali Wines
Ngiyi Mbali Wines is a family owned range of wines. It has always been Mbali the founder’s dream to become a wine-maker. In 2013 Mbali tasted a bottle of wine and she fell in love with it. She then contacted the maker of the wine who is John Robert Frater, a fifth generation winemaker. She told Rob how she fell in love with his wine and asked him to mentor her and teach about the art of wine making. At first Rob did not take her seriously and refused, but fortunately for Mbali her then job allowed her to travel to the Cape often. So while in the Cape she decided to drive to De ZoetInvalin Paarl uninvited and unannounced to meet Rob personally. This was to show him how serious she was about wanting to learn the art of winemaking. Rob then agreed, the mentorship started, and a beautiful relationship was built. Mbali is not yet a cellar master, but believes she will be one day. She is very involved in the production of the wines and plans to expand her current range of wines. Mbali funded the business from her savings. When she exhausted her savings she cashed in her two sons’ education trust. Mbali ran the business with her two brothers while she kept her day job in order to survive. In July 2018 she decided to quit her job as National Marketing Manager at an insurance company to focus more on her business and cashed in pension funds in order to invest in the business.
At Ngiyi Mbali Wines, they have a selection of wines that are produced in Paarl in the Western Cape, offering customers a choice of wines to suit all tastes. Today there are nine wines available, all with a unique story behind them. The Pinotage is the most personal and special wine to Mbali as it’s her signature wine. She had the most input when this one was made. Even though her mentor did not agree much with her when they made this Pinotage, when it was launched he called her a dark horse and that’s where it gets it name from today - Dark Angel Pinotage.
