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INTERMEZZO #1

on their own; I don’t like wines that are too bold.
What I have realized is that I‘ve inspired women
to say to themselves that they can break through
into industries where they were not traditionally
welcome.
What was the moment when you really
knew you had “made it”?
When I finally had retailers coming to me
asking for my wines, rather than me having to
go knock on their doors.
What changes has coronavirus brought
to the South African wine industry?
The major companies have cellars full of un-
sold wine from previous harvests and 2021 har-
vest is already starting in the South hemisphere.
South Africa is a growing country, and I think
even though it’s difficult now, I am positive
things will shift for the better. Covid-19 forced
South Africa to move fast towards technology
when previously we were taking things slow, so
there is positivity even in the darkness. I do see
a lot of innovation, and new grapes coming
up, there’s more experimentation now, looking
at the ancient ways of making wines and brin-
ging them back. Those traditions had long been
abandoned, but now we get to see how it works ple understand the winery to be is more of a vi-
in the current situation. It is good, but at the end sitor center. Our biggest markets currently are
of the day you learn winemaking is winemaking the U.S., Japan, and the Netherlands, but we’re
and you have to do the hard work – it’s the same building up Canada, Ghana, Swaziland, and
as when you are cooking, there are no shortcuts. Taiwan. My goals are now more about helping
The lockdown and ban of selling alcoholic be- others fulfil their dreams while I’ m continuing
verages in South Africa was hard for all of us, but to build my own brand.
the infection rate is slowly coming down, and this Her wines are magic. Black magic woman! ƅ
means there will be less pressure on the hospital
trauma units. I believe alcohol does add to this
so, the ban had to happen to reduce the infecti-
ons and the pressure. I do hope that as hard as
it maybe, producers will keep fighting the good
fight to get through this and continue building.
What projects are next for you?
I am not focused too much on the time of the
pandemic, I just hope it ends soon. Instead I look
ahead. The current mission is on growing Aslina
to be a trustful International brand and to try
and achieve a home for Aslina. Aslina doesn’t
have a home currently—I mean what the peo-
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