The Stables Wine Estate Media Release

 No: Stables0709

23 March 2007

Durban – KwaZulu-Natal’s on form rugby team The Sharks launched a range of quality wines from The Stables Wine Estate, pairing the two iconic KZN institutions.

The range was launched at the Absa Stadium Durban at the Sharks vs. Brumbies Super 14 clash, and includes a red blend, a Blanc de Noir and a white blend.

Winemaker at The Stables Tiny Van Niekerk, was excited about the partnership. “As a staunch Sharks supporter, I identify with the team as arguably the most distinctive KZN brand around. In a very similar fashion, The Stables is entering a tough competition, the wine industry, representing KZN, and enjoying success at the same time as the Sharks”, he said.

The red blend, called Raggie Red, is predominantly Pinotage, with a small quantity of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and attracted three and a half stars in the latest edition of John Platters guide.

The white is named Silver Tip and is a blend of mainly unwooded Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and has a distinctive fruitiness beneath the overriding dryness of the wine.

The Zambezi Pink is a true Blanc de Noir, made wholly from the free run juices from the Pinotage harvest. This is the wine that made history by becoming the first KZN wine of origin last year, and has attracted a strong following which has created a strong demand for this dry and fruity wine.

“With a very significant percentage of Sharks supporters being women, wine is the drink of choice for many of them,” said Van Niekerk. “In addition to this, many of the guests in the suites are wine drinkers by choice, and a quality Sharks branded wine could add to their matchday experience,” he added.

The Stables has been run by Tiny and his wife Judy Van Niekerk since 2004, leading to the certification of KwaZulu-Natal as a recognised Wine or Origin region, and in 2006 their farm was registered as the first KZN Wine Estate.

In 2006 the estate’s Pinotage Clariet was the first wine to be certified as a KZN Wine of origin.

The Sharks wines will be available at selected bottles stores and wine merchants, and from The Shark Cage shop at the Absa Stadium Durban.

For more information please contact Judy on 033 266 6781 or by email on info@stableswine.co.za

ENDS

Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media

Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media

Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media