Carmen Stevens, a South African winemaking pioneer

July 1, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Carmen Stevens Wines Pty Ltd, a multi-award winning, black-and-woman owned winery creating impact in South Africa

Carmen Stevens, founder of Carmen Stevens Wines Pty Ltd, is the first black person accepted to study winemaking in South Africa and qualified in 1995 as South Africa's first black winemaker. She was recognised with a Top 10 Pinotage award in 1998 for her very first red wine production. Carmen's industry awards include International Decanter Trophy winner, 2015 Winemaker of the Year California, 2018 - Winemaker of the Decade UK (Naked Wines.com). Carmen Stevens Wines continue to win recognition and industry awards every year. In 2019, Carmen registered the first 100% black-and-woman owned winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa and was awarded South Africa’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 and 2019. The Carmen Stevens NPO was registered in 2015, and today the foundation provides over 25000 learners from 125 schools in the Western Cape with a nutritious breakfast and lunch.

Carmen Stevens, a South African award-winning winemaking pioneer

August 29, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Carmen Stevens, founder, Carmen Stevens Wines Pty Ltd (South Africa)

Startup Story

Carmen Stevens, founder of Carmen Stevens Wines Pty Ltd, is the first black person accepted to study winemaking in South Africa and qualified in 1995 as South Africa's first black winemaker. She was recognised with a Top 10 Pinotage award in 1998 for her very first red wine production. Carmen's industry awards include International Decanter Trophy winner, 2015 Winemaker of the Year California, 2018 - Winemaker of the Decade UK (Naked Wines.com). In 2019, Carmen registered the first 100 % black-and-woman owned winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa and was awarded South Africa’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 and 2019. The Carmen Stevens NPO was registered in 2015, the foundation to date, have provided 11 622 731 plates of food to 41 363 learners at school.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s Birthmark of Africa Wines launches its new collection

April 11, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Miranda Abrahams, founder, Birthmark of Africa Wines (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

South Africa is renowned around the world for its fine wine-making, and this month sees the launch of a great new collection of wines from Birthmark of Africa Wines, founded by Miranda Abrahams. Customers can select from a great choice of Red and White wines, Blends and Champagne. The new collection includes Brut Chardonnay MCC – Méthode Cap Classique; Heritage Premium Red Blend; Heritage Premium White Blend; Premium Chardonnay; Premium Chenin Blanc; Premium Merlot; Premium Pinotage; and Premium Pinotage Rose.

Nondumiso Pikashe, a South African entrepreneur creating a proud indigenous wine brand (2021)

March 28, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Nondumiso Pikashe, founder of Ses’fikile Wines (South Africa) — **Nondumiso Pikashe**, founder of Ses’fikile Wines (South Africa)

Exciting things are happening in South Africa’s winelands with a new generation of entrepreneurs making great wines for the local and global market place and building new brands to watch. Ses’fikile Wines, founded by Nondumiso Pikashe, is one such brand with high aspirations.

Siwela Sweetness Masoga, a South African wine producer creating quality accessible wines

January 3, 2021 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Siwela Wines, a new generation, trail-blazing female black-owned wine business.

Siwela Sweetness Masoga is a biotechnologist, wine maker, and founder of Siwela Wines, a South African wine company focusing on the production of quality accessible wines. Siwela also runs a wine academy focusing on education and training within the wine and hospitality industry. Siwela Wines is currently amongst the few youth female black-owned wine businesses in South Africa and was launched in 2018.

Tanja Robinson, a wine industry entrepreneur growing the South African wine footprint globally

November 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Tanja Robinson, founder of Robinson & Sinclair (South Africa)

Impact Partner Content: Absa

For many of the smaller boutique wineries in South Africa, getting their wines distributed into global markets can be a challenge. Tanja Robinson, founder of Robinson & Sinclair, is taking her passion for South African wine and helping producers to manage their international sales, growing their global footprints.

Lioness Launch / Ngiyi Mbali Wines launches its new iDlozi Collection

August 2, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Lioness Launch

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.

Lioness Launch / South Africa’s Siwela Wines launches its exciting 2020 Chenin Blanc

July 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Siwela Sweetness Masoga, founder of Siwela Wines (South Africa)

Lioness Launch

There is an exciting new South African wine, a Chenin Blanc, about to tempt the palettes of discerning consumers, produced by Siwela Wines, one of the few youth female black owned wine businesses in South Africa. Founded by Siwela Sweetness Masoga, Siwela Wines is a wine company focusing on the production of quality accessible wines. Siwela also runs a wine academy focusing on education and training within wine and hospitality.

Ntsiki Biyela, a passionate South African winemaker changing the face of the industry

April 26, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Ntsiki Biyela, winemaker and founder of Aslina Wines (South Africa)

Lioness Weekender Cover Story

Many wine lovers from around the globe already know that South Africa is famous for producing some of the most exciting wines. But how many are familiar with the ground-breaking Aslina Wines, created by the country’s first black woman winemaker, Ntsiki Biyela? If you haven’t already read Ntsiki’s inspirational story, or tasted her award-winning wines for yourself, then you are missing out!

Meet 4 of South Africa’s Women Entrepreneurs of the Vine

March 1, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Special Feature

For years, South Africa’s Cape region has been synonymous with producing and marketing some of the finest wines, and in the process, exciting consumer palettes and markets around the world. Now, there is a growing number of women entrepreneurs in the country who are building exciting businesses and brands in the wine industry, winning legions of local and global fans along the way.

Mbali Masike, a young South African wine brand builder creating highly personal, story driven wines

September 9, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mbali Masike, founder of ngiyiMbali Brands (South Africa) — **Mbali Masike**, founder of ngiyiMbali Brands (South Africa)

Behind every great wine is a great story, and that is certainly the case with the exciting South African wines being created by ngiyiMbali Brands. Founder Mbali Masike brings her own personality and taste profiles into each individual wine she creates, sharing stories and creating memories for her customers.

LIONESS LAUNCH: Mbali Masike, founder of NgiyiMbali Wines, launches exciting new wine brand in South Africa

August 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Mbali Masike, founder of Ngiyi Mbali Wines (South Africa) — **Mbali Masike**, founder of Ngiyi Mbali Wines (South Africa)

ngiyiMbali Wines is a newly launched, family-owned range of wines in South Africa, founded by entrepreneur Ngiyi Mbali. It has always been Mbali’s dream to become a winemaker. A little over 5 years ago Mbali tasted a bottle of wine and she fell in love with it. The inspirational story of Ngiyi Mbali Wines started there.