Our
Projects
SPITTOON SALOON
The place to meet some of South Africa’s most celebrated wine people. And some who aren’t celebrated enough.
You will hear stories they don’t normally tell and answers they don’t normally give to questions they’re not normally asked. Spittoon Saloon is a platform to entertain, inform, and inspire an interest in wine. So whether you’re a casual drinker or a bona fide geek, these short films aim to stir your curiosity by getting under the skin of South African wine at a time when it has never been more exciting.
And if it’s not to your taste, you’re welcome to use the spittoon.
Butch Alheit - Alheit Vineyards
In the first episode, Chris "Butch" Alheit talks about the Alheit’s love of Tassenberg, equates Rassie Erasmus with Chenin Blanc, and laments changing the name of Fire by Night to sound more Australian. And although he’s happy to discuss the blunders, he refuses to address rumors that boxed Overmeer played a role in Alheit Vineyards’ iconic 2011 Cartology.
Ian Naude and Sakkie Mouton
Ian Naudé marches to the beat of his own drum. If you ask him to go left, he will stop, fix his gaze upon you, and turn right. If you suggest that old vine Carignan is the future, he’ll start looking for a young block of Tinta Barocca. And if you tell him that his time is up, he will frown, stand, pick up his Langpad Colombard and storm off set. But there’s more to Ian than a bona fide contrarian who makes remarkable juice. He is fiercely committed to discovering young winemakers and helping them reach their potential. In this episode, he discusses one he is particularly excited about, and their shared interest in the West Coast of South Africa. It’s just a pity Sakkie Mouton couldn’t join us.
Clayton Reabow
Clayton Reabow left the bustling metropolis of Qonce on the banks of the Buffalo River to become the winemaker / cellarmaster / raconteur / provocateur / taster / whateverer at Môreson in Franschhoek. Today, apart from the very fine range of Môreson wines, Clayton is also behind some pretty nifty MCC's made under their Miss Molly brand. We talked about that, affordable bubbly, not-so affordable bubbly, Clayton's love for Franschhoek and his wife and kids, and his bromance with Craig Mcnaught from Stony Brook. Oh, and their collaborative project, Lokaia, is very exciting. With Semillon from Bo-Hoek, Chardonnay from the Valley, and Cab Franc from DuToitskop, it's a hands-off take on the best grapes in their favourite places in Franschhoek.