- ONE CRAZY IDEA: In 2002, innovator agronomist Rosa Kruger kick-started the rise of South African wine with one crazy idea. Together with a few other like-minded people, she began a helicopter tour over the South African coast in search of old, abandoned vineyards, mainly in the Swartland and Stellenbosch regions. Eventually these were restored and from these precious vineyards now come fascinating wine treasures that are winning the affections of the world's wine critics. Of such stature is the find Ava Syrah, vintage 2022, the most limited wine in our selection, named after the daughter of former rugby player and contemporary star of the South African wine scene, Donovan Rahl.

- MAN VS PAVIAN: Did you know that in some vineyards in South Africa, pickers go to the grape harvest armed with guns? South African baboons are extremely aggressive and clever primates. They are one of the biggest enemies of the vine growers there and often quite deliberately await the ripening of the grapes and descend in organised herds to the vineyards from the higher mountain areas to enjoy the juicy bunches.

- HOW WE DISCOVERED THE WINE: In 2022 and 2023, our wine expert Yassen Staykov is working as head sommelier for Constance Ephelia in the Seychelles, one of the largest exclusive resorts in the Indian Ocean. The best-selling wines in Seychelles are the South African wines, which win over the public with their unique character and the exceptional quality they offer for their price. While in charge of the wine program there, Jasen had the opportunity to visit some of the best vineyards and wineries in the Swartland, Stellenbosch and Hemel-en-Aarde regions of South Africa. As he tasted the new wave of unique South African wines, the idea of introducing them to the Bulgarian wine scene was born. Once Yassen became part of our team and the decision was made to introduce Seewines to the new generation of South African wines in Bulgaria, a rigorous selection by our sommelier team followed, a journey of the wines by ship along the west coast of Africa and here the most interesting finds are already with us.

Introducing Chenin Blanc from wild, cup-shaped vines on the brink of survival, with roots literally embedded in soils of crushed rock with a bit of clay; racial African Pinotage; unique African Syrah growing on granite and schist rock slabs; white and red blends from vineyards surrounded by the typical, aromatic African grasses and shrubs known as "fynbos"; two addictive Cabernet Franc wines; and many more bottled emotions.