Price: £55 per ticket
Time: 4pm - 5pm

Speakers: Ken Forrester (Ken Forrester) - Owner and Winemaker of Ken Forrester Vineyards 

Tom Hanson Smith (Journeys End) - UK Brand Development Manager for Journey's End
 

South Africa is one of the world’s most exciting wine-producing nations, offering unique expressions of both classic and less familiar grape varieties. A kaleidoscope of climatic conditions across different regions provides plenty of room for the country’s talented, dynamic winemakers to compose an eclectic mix of styles and textures, backed by some of the world’s oldest viticultural soils.

In this tasting hosted by the Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa (PIWOSA), renowned winemaker Ken Forrester, owner of Ken Forrester Vineyards, will join Tom Hanson Smith, UK brand development manager at top producer Journey’s End, to take you on a whirlwind tour of brilliant wines from several regions.

This promises to be a fascinating voyage of discovery, from cool-climate Chardonnay from Elgin and old-vine Chenin Blanc from Piekenierskloof to Assyrtiko and Syrah wines from Stellenbosch, plus much more besides.

• Klein Constantia, Clara Sauvignon Blanc, Constantia, South Africa 2022
• Avondale, Cyclus White, Paarl, South Africa 2019
• Ken Forrester, Dirty Little Secret Four Chenin Blanc, Piekenierskloof, South Africa NV
• Jordan Wine Estate, Assyrtiko, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2022
• Paul Cluver, Seven Flags Chardonnay, Elgin, South Africa 2022
• Journey's End, The Griffin Syrah, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2018
• The Drift Estate, Ghost in the Machine Shiraz, Western Cape, South Africa 2021
• Glenelly, Lady May, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2017

Ken Forrester, Owner and Winemaker of Ken Forrester Vineyards

Ken Forrester is a leading figure in South African wine and his namesake estate has helped to pioneer sustainability initiatives and the preservation of old vines, alongside producing world-beating wines. Forrester started a career in the hotel industry with Southern Sun way back in 1977, after a three-year course in Hotel Management at the Johannesburg Hotel School. He subsequently specialised in the restaurant trade and was later elected chairman of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA). In 1993, he and his wife, Teresa, bought the farm now known as Ken Forrester Vineyards on a public auction. He is a founder member of the Chenin Blanc Association, and as chairman plays a leading role in promoting Chenin Blanc in local and international markets.

Tom Hanson Smith, Director for Journey's End

After spending three years at Stellenbosch University studying wine, Hanson-Smith ventured back to the UK and worked as a chef and restaurant manager for one of the UK’s leading restaurant chains, before going on to join the Journey’s End team. He spent several years as brand manager for the UK, America, Canada and Europe, and was subsequently appointed director. He sits on the board and is responsible for sales and volume growth, largely in the hospitality (on-trade) sector.