A Harmonious Blend of Flavors: The Annabelle Shiraz and a Vision for Transformation

4 mins read
wine sommelier

The portion of the earnings from its sales will be allocated to the Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp & De Grendel Sommelier Bursary, covering education, training, and mentorship for a chosen aspiring sommelier. The Annabelle Shiraz is a collaboration between media tycoon Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp and De Grendel Wine Estate, representing a joint effort to empower aspiring sommeliers from underprivileged backgrounds. The wine itself is a fascinating fusion of flavors, with a rich ruby shade, complex aroma of ripe blackberries, plums, smoky oak, and a hint of black pepper, and a velvety texture with a lasting finish of fruity sweetness and a trace of spice.

What is the Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp & De Grendel Sommelier Bursary and how does it relate to the Annabelle Shiraz?

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The Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp & De Grendel Sommelier Bursary, in cooperation with the South African Sommelier Association, offers opportunities for sommeliers from underprivileged backgrounds. The bursary is funded in part by sales of the Annabelle Shiraz, a collaborative wine between media tycoon Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp and De Grendel Wine Estate. The wine represents a joint effort to generate positive change within the wine industry and beyond.

Uniting Winemaking Passion and Empowerment Commitment

Media tycoon and entrepreneur Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp has always been an innovator. Her most recent endeavor, the exquisite Annabelle Shiraz, is no exception. In a pioneering partnership with the esteemed De Grendel Wine Estate, this collaboration embraces the art of winemaking while simultaneously affecting a significant impact on the lives of aspiring sommeliers from underprivileged backgrounds. The creation of the Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp & De Grendel Sommelier Bursary, in cooperation with the South African Sommelier Association, exemplifies the principle of using one’s skills for good and bringing about change, as Afrika-Bredenkamp’s father inspired her.

The Annabelle Shiraz, named in honor of Afrika-Bredenkamp’s youngest daughter, symbolizes a work of devotion. Though winemaking is a pastime for the renowned media figure, the 2017 vintage signifies a notable turning point. It commemorates fresh starts, the wonder of the support she has experienced as a mother, and the potential to assist others through this endeavor.

Afrika-Bredenkamp is well-acquainted with winemaking, having earned the Michelangelo Gold for her ‘Elana Wine’ label in 2012. The Annabelle Shiraz embodies a fusion of passion, grace, and artistry, reflecting the fundamental values of family and a dedication to excellence. Created by the expert winemakers at De Grendel Wine Estate, this wine demonstrates the variety and richness of South African terroir.

More Than Wine: Fostering Positive Impact

The Annabelle Shiraz represents more than a remarkable wine; it signifies a joint effort to generate positive change within the wine industry and beyond. A portion of the earnings from its sales will be allocated to the Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp & De Grendel Sommelier Bursary. This inventive program seeks to offer opportunities for determined sommeliers from underprivileged backgrounds, encouraging diversity within the sommelier profession while narrowing the divide.

The bursary will cover education, training, and mentorship for a chosen aspiring sommelier, enabling them to realize their dreams and contribute to the vibrant wine industry.

A Tribute to Life and the Strength of Giving Back

Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and the chance to collaborate with De Grendel Wine Estate and the South African Sommelier Association. The Annabelle Shiraz is a tribute to the beauty of life and the strength of giving back.

Charles Hopkins, cellar master at De Grendel Wine Estate, shared the sentiment, declaring, “We are honored to join forces with Elana on this incredible journey. The Annabelle Wine epitomizes our mutual values of quality, innovation, and social responsibility. This collaboration enables us to contribute to the growth of the wine community while producing wines that narrate a tale of dedication and craftsmanship.”

The Annabelle Shiraz: A Fascinating Fusion of Flavors

The rich ruby shade of the Annabelle Shiraz captivates the senses, revealing a complex aroma of ripe blackberries, plums, smoky oak, and a hint of black pepper. The wine’s velvety texture unfurls across the palate, with well-balanced tannins providing structure and refinement, culminating in a lasting finish of fruity sweetness and a trace of spice.

The Annabelle Shiraz’s multifaceted character makes it a perfect match for an array of culinary delights. Its velvety texture and robust flavors blend beautifully with grilled meats or slow-roasted dishes. The wine’s dark fruit notes and subtle spiciness also enhance vegetarian dishes, such as a charred eggplant and roasted red pepper tart.

A Legacy of Positive Transformation

The Annabelle Shiraz is set to captivate wine connoisseurs, empower aspiring sommeliers, and establish a legacy of positive transformation within the wine industry. Produced in a single barrel, this limited-edition masterpiece has been aged under ideal conditions at the De Grendel cellar. The wine will be sold exclusively at De Grendel Wine Estate’s Tasting Room, Restaurant, and online, ensuring that each purchase contributes to the growth and empowerment of the next generation of sommeliers.

What is the Annabelle Shiraz?

The Annabelle Shiraz is a limited-edition wine collaboration between media tycoon Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp and De Grendel Wine Estate. The wine is a fusion of flavors with a rich ruby shade, complex aroma of ripe blackberries, plums, smoky oak, and a hint of black pepper, and a velvety texture with a lasting finish of fruity sweetness and a trace of spice.

Who is Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp?

Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp is a media tycoon and entrepreneur who collaborated with De Grendel Wine Estate to create the Annabelle Shiraz. She is also the founder of the Elana Afrika Foundation, which focuses on providing support and resources to underprivileged communities in South Africa.

What is the Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp & De Grendel Sommelier Bursary?

The Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp & De Grendel Sommelier Bursary is a program in cooperation with the South African Sommelier Association that offers opportunities for sommeliers from underprivileged backgrounds. A portion of the earnings from sales of the Annabelle Shiraz will be allocated to the bursary, covering education, training, and mentorship for a chosen aspiring sommelier.

What is the goal of the Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp & De Grendel Sommelier Bursary?

The goal of the Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp & De Grendel Sommelier Bursary is to encourage diversity within the sommelier profession and offer opportunities for determined sommeliers from underprivileged backgrounds, narrowing the divide and making a positive impact on the wine industry.

Where can I purchase the Annabelle Shiraz?

The Annabelle Shiraz will be sold exclusively at De Grendel Wine Estate’s Tasting Room, Restaurant, and online.

What food pairs well with the Annabelle Shiraz?

The Annabelle Shiraz’s velvety texture and robust flavors blend beautifully with grilled meats or slow-roasted dishes. The wine’s dark fruit notes and subtle spiciness also enhance vegetarian dishes, such as a charred eggplant and roasted red pepper tart.

What is the legacy of the Annabelle Shiraz?

The Annabelle Shiraz is set to establish a legacy of positive transformation within the wine industry by empowering aspiring sommeliers from underprivileged backgrounds and contributing to the growth of the next generation of professionals in the field.

What is unique about the Annabelle Shiraz?

The Annabelle Shiraz is a limited-edition wine produced in a single barrel and aged under ideal conditions at the De Grendel cellar. Its multifaceted character makes it a perfect match for an array of culinary delights, and its creation represents a joint effort to generate positive change within the wine industry and beyond.

Liam Fortuin is a Cape Town journalist whose reporting on the city’s evolving food culture—from township kitchens to wine-land farms—captures the flavours and stories of South Africa’s many kitchens. Raised in Bo-Kaap, he still starts Saturday mornings hunting koesisters at family stalls on Wale Street, a ritual that feeds both his palate and his notebook.

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