It seems like South African wine regions have come a long way, from as recent as the 80’s when KWV (the stubborn and maybe delusional organization of grape co-operatives that ruled most of the Cape’s wine industry with a heavy hand) and their PR groups insisted that things had never been better in their wine producing world.
In fact, at that point everything seemed to have gone to pot (so to speak) including vineyards that were virus-infected and growers that didn’t seem to even appreciate the fruits of their labour choosing other libations over their own wine. Pretty sad state of affairs considering South Africa has some of the oldest vineyards of the New World. Thankfully since then a new breed of winemaker has taken over, having travelled to other regions of the world and returning or re-locating to South Africa and breathing fresh new life and ideals into a stale land. They’re basically the “new world” of the “old new world” of winemakers and are respectfully taking advantage of a massively fruitful and unique land and presenting a new style of wine full ingenuity, purity and passion. These are not the South African wines you expect or remember. And that’s the kind of story we love.
That is why Ascari, along with our co-host Nicholas Pearce Wines, are genuinely excited to bring to you another Up Close & Personal with our first guest from South Africa, Andrea Mullineux of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines. On Tuesday, September 13th from 6:30 – 9:00pm, Andrea will be hanging out with us and pouring her wines and sharing her story with you. We hope you can make it.
To make a reservation please call us at 416.792.4157 or book online with Opentable.
ABOUT MULLINEUX FAMILY WINES
Mullineux Family Wines was established in 2007, and was owned and managed by Chris and Andrea Mullineux, with business partners, Keith Prothero and Peter Dart. Within a very short time period the winery established itself as one of South Africa’s most celebrated wine brands, both locally and on the international front. By 2014 they had received twelve 5 star ratings from Platter’s South African Wine Guide, as well as being awarded Red Wine of the Year in 2013 with their 2010 Syrah and Winery of the Year in 2014.
Analjit Singh’s love affair with South Africa started when he first visited the country with his daughter for the Soccer World Cup in 2010. On visiting the Franschhoek valley he felt “a deep sense of belonging, of energy, a sense of place” and subsequently purchased 3 adjacent farms which have been amalgamated within his Franschhoek hospitality portfolio Leeu Collection under the name Leeu Estates. The Afrikaans word leeu (meaning lion) is the Sanskrit derivation of Singh.
In 2013 Analjit joined forces with Chris and Andrea by purchasing Keith’s shares and the company was renamed Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines.
ABOUT UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
At Ascari Enoteca we have been fortunate to meet many of the unique personalities behind the wines we pour. We would like you to meet them too. We consider our ‘Up Close & Personal’ wine series as the anti-wine dinner; a continuing series of commitment-free evenings, conceived of as an alternative to expensive, multi-course winemaker dinners. We will be welcoming winemakers from around the world and closer to home. In addition to our regular menu and wine list, we will be offering a selection of their wines by the glass or by the bottle. Our guests will be spending evenings with us pouring their wines at your table, chatting about anything you may find interesting, sharing their passion and having a glass and a plate of food themselves. If you enjoy hearing the winemakers tell you their stories and the stories of their wines, these are rare opportunites to personally meet the people behind the bottles and the labels. Ask them anything, or just relax and enjoy the fruits of their labour.
Ascari Enoteca
1111 Queen St. East
Toronto
