27th April is Freedom Day in South Africa, celebrating the end of apartheid when Nelson Mandela was elected as the first black president of South Africa in 1994. This year, 2014, is the 20th anniversary of this young democracy and South Africa has truly developed into a multi-cultural, multi-faceted rainbow nation.  

South Africa's wine industry has also evolved over the past two decades. Investment in vineyards and wineries and the overseas experience of young winemakers combined with the country's 350 years of winemaking history and diversity of climate and geography have led to significant improvements in wine quality. Chenin Blanc is no longer the mediocre off-dry wine of old but instead ranges from light and refreshing to serious with ageing potential. While Stellenbosch is still the centre of excellence, renowned for its classic Bordeaux styles, exciting new regions are offering the consumer more variety, such as Pinot Noir from cool climate Elgin, Rhone style wines from passionate Swartland, and award-winning Pinotage from breakaway Wellington. 

Recognising its troubled past and the preciousness of its fragile environment, South Africa now also leads the way in terms of production integrity, sustainability and biodiversity. It launched a fully traceable sustainability seal in 2010 and is now developing a producer certification for ethical labour practices. 65% of the world’s Fairtrade wines are produced in South Africa.

Come and join our celebration of South Africa here in Hong Kong! Neil Grant, chairman of the South African Sommelier Association and owner of Burrata Restaurant in Cape Town, will be in town leading a series of wine tastings. See for yourself the diversity of South Africa's wines, and let’s toast its freedom. 

Wines of South Africa (WOSA) has released The Democracy Series of videos that reflect in a personal but very powerful way the life-changing experiences of people touched by transformation initiatives in the wine industry. Click here to watch.

For HK$78, you can enjoy a South African wine sampler featuring two different wines. One sampler charge will be waived if you order one bottle of a wine featured in the sample flight. 

Reservations and enquiries: Mango Tree Elements, 2668 4884, or email.

From 11th April to 1st May, receive a free Pebbles Project Friendship bracelet upon the purchase of any one bottle of South African wine on offer, or a Cape Wine Braai Masters recipe book (retail price HK$320) upon the purchase of three bottles of South African wine.

Join Neil Grant at the Harbour City store for the Happy Thursday Wine Tasting Event (5:30-7:30pm, 24th April) or at the Times Square store Culture Club tasting class (3:00-4:30pm, 26th April, by invitation only). Reservations and enquiries: 2736 3866.

Tasting wih Neil Grant from 7:00-8:00pm on 23rd April at the Century Square outlet (by invitation).

Pacific Place Freedom Day promotion on 27th April (Sunday): Customers purchasing any bottle of South African wine will get a free Pebble Projects Friendship bracelet. On any three bottles of South African wine they will get a free Cape Wine Braai Masters recipe book (retail HK$320). 

For more information, please contact Watson’s Wine Club: 3157 1886.

Fly Cathay Pacific Business Class from April to June 2014 and relax with a glass or two of world-class South African wine. Our experts have selected a range of South African wines designed to work well at altitude with our sumptuous choice of in-flight meals. 

Available on European, US, South African, Australian, New Zealand and Middle East routes.

Glass bottle recycling mentality in Hong Kong

Big shot tastings in Hong Kong: what’s the impact?