WeeklySA_AdminACCOLADES: A string of feats achieved by the young winemakers so far this year, has brought both him and the Stellenbosch estate local and international acclaim…
By Len Maseko
Mvuselelo “Vusi” Dalicuba laughs at the idea of being graced with a perceived lofty praise akin to Julius Caesar’s feats and famous exultation – Veni, Vidi Vici, (I came, I saw, I conquered).
Yet, a fitting crown by vinous stakes for the 31-year-old winemaker at Vergenoegd Löw wine estate – on account of the feast of prestigious awards he has scooped so far this season.
Again, a remarkable feat for a young man who joined the Stellenbosch farm in 2021 as a rookie straight from college – armed with a BTech in Agricultural (Viticulture and Oenology) and Master’s degree from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. As if not enough, Dalicuba had doubled down on his qualifications with a stint at the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute in 2016, where he became assistant winemaker, an opportunity opened by a scholarship.
One of South Africa’s oldest working farms with an unbroken tradition of growing and making wines for almost 330 years, Vergenoegd Löw nestles less than 5 km from the False Bay coast, an area its owners have joyfully christened Stellenbosch-by-the-Sea. The moniker being an ode to the beneficial impact of the sea on its wines, providing cooling ocean winds from False Bay which lower early summer temperatures by as much as 3°C – compared to the rest of Stellenbosch.
The effect is to protract ripening with the potential to create wines of great depth, concentration of flavour, vibrant acidity and longevity.
Vergenoegd was acquired in 2015 by German entrepreneur, philanthropist and heritage specialist Prof Dr Dr Peter Löw, who immediately recognised its potential and took extensive steps to reimagine its future by renaming the 160-ha estate, Vergenoegd Löw.
“Sure, I showed up,” says Dalicuba, who is mentored by internationally acclaimed Abrie Beeslaar, a three-time winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition Winemaker of the Year title.
“And most certainly I saw and continue to see, as I learn from Abrie and Vergenoegd Löw MD Corius Visser, who is also a veteran Stellenbosch viticulturist. But conquer? This isn’t a battle. It’s an affirmation that as a team we’re succeeding in gladdening palates. And it doesn’t stop here. What we’re doing is a work in progress.”
Well, “showing up” is winning a trophy and being announced the national winner for the Stellenbosch estate’s prestige 2023 Family Collection Ottilie Malbec at SA Terroir Wine Awards. And, within weeks, Vergenoegd Löw’s 2023 Merlot landed a best-in-class trophy at the recent 2025 Global Fine Wine Challenge.
The by-invitation-only, five-way contest involves wines from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada. Known in the industry as the Grand Prix of wine competitions, it limits entries to no more than 120 wines in total from each country.
“All entries submitted have already been awarded in their home countries. Consequently, this is where the best-of-best compete against each other, so every win carries enormous significance,” explains Visser proudly.
In addition, the 2025 Cabernet Sauvignon recently won the trophy for the best wooded Cabernet Sauvignon at the 2025 SA Young Wine Show.
The winery’s portfolio also showed extremely well at this year’s Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits awards, taking platinum for the 2022 Maximillian, Bordeaux-style red blend; double gold for the same 2023 Malbec that excelled at the SA Terroir Wine Awards, and golds for the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2024 Chardonnay and 2025 Sauvignon Blanc.
“I’m happy,” says Dalicuba, who is active in both the vineyards and the cellar. “It feels great when our hard work earns recognition. We take a hands-on, labour-intensive approach in the vineyards, where literally every single vine gets attention, so that by the time the grapes reach the cellar, they can cue us as to how they should be best vinified. Put it this way: the heavy lifting happens in the vineyards, so we can apply the lightest touch in the cellar.” Dalicuba is originally from the Eastern Cape, but was raised in Stellenbosch where his father, Msabalala, was a general worker at Distell.
Back in 2021, Visser had realised the estate needed a dedicated, full-time winemaker, so he called up his good friend Beeslaar at Kanonkop, who didn’t hesitate in recommending Dalicuba, at that stage a talented young Masters graduate who had worked a harvest at Kanonkop.
The rest is history.
EVENTS
CAROLINE’S REVIEW
The 2025 edition of Caroline’s White Wine & Cap Classique Review will be staged at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on November 6 (17h00 to 21h00).
It will be hosted in the Members’ Lounge on the 4th Floor of the DHL Stadium, Fritz Sonnenberg Road in Green Point.
Hosted by Caroline Rillema of the legendary Caroline’s Fine Wine Cellar, this world-class showcase offers wine enthusiasts the rare opportunity to experience an unparalleled line-up of the Cape’s flagship white wines and Cap Classiques.Only 70 accolade-achieving winemakers, the crème de la crème of South African wine producers, are invited to present just one wine – their best of the best – on the night.
The ticket price is R350 per person, and secure, undercover parking is available at R70 per car. Purchase tickets at: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/339864-carolines-white-wine-review-2025/#/tickets
PEECH ‘n JAZZ SUNDOWNERS
Joburg’s boutique hotel The Peech Hotel and The Pot Luck Club are bringing two summer experiences to Johannesburg, blending sunshine, food, endless drinks and live entertainment in A stylish setting.
The first comprises “Peech Summer Sundowner Sessions”, from Thursday to Saturday, from 4pm to 6pm. Guests can relax in the lush Peech gardens, patio and rooftop bar while enjoying The Pot Luck Club Joburg’s new aperitivo inspired tapas menu paired with gorgeous house cocktails, chilled summer wines or local craft beer. At R145 per person, they are treated to a first round, including a tapas of choice served with a complimentary cocktail, glass of wine or a beer.The second experience is “Weekend Jazz Lunch with Bottomless Bubbles”, happening Saturdays and Sundays, from 12:30 pm onwards. Guests enjoy Weekend Live Jazz Lunches with bottomless bubbles, Mimosas and Bellinis at R395 per person. Reservations essential. Call: +27 (011) 537, email hello@plcj.co.za or book https://thepotluckclubjhb.co.za/book/.
SALON-LUDDITE DINNER
Salon, Luke Dale Roberts’ fine dining restaurant, will host a one-of-a-kind wine dinner on October 10, in collaboration with Luddite Wines.
This exclusive event offers guests the rare opportunity to taste older vintages of Luddite’s exceptional Chenin Blanc, wines that are no longer available for purchase.
“Luddism reflects our belief in winemaking,” say Niels and Alice Verburg, winemakers at Luddite. “Technology and mechanisation will never be a substitute for passion”. Their Chenin Blanc is renowned for its depth and complexity.
This dinner presents a rare opportunity to taste older vintages like the 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022, which are no longer available to buy. It’s an exclusive chance to experience the evolution of this distinctive wine and witness first-hand how it ages to perfection. They will be savoured along with a special menu designed by Luke Dale Roberts and Carla Schulze. The dinner is priced at R2950 per person. Secure your place via Dineplan: salonct.co.za/reservation
Winex Returns
Standard Bank WineX, the Southern hemisphere’s spectacular wine celebration, returns to transform Johannesburg for three unmissable nights.
As usual, Winex is expected to attract 9 000 wine enthusiasts gathering for the largest consumer wine event under one roof on October 29, 30 and 31. The show has evolved far beyond its origins – 25 years of which have been at the Sandton Convention Centre – to become a multi-sensory celebration that combines wine appreciation with art, music and entertainment.
What distinguishes the event is the line-up of 700 wines from more than 120 exhibitors – featuring everyone from legendary award-winning cellars to exciting boutique discoveries that could become tomorrow’s cult favourites.
They can explore an array of wines so vast that even the most dedicated cannot hope to cover everything on offer – discover rare gems, limited releases, and exclusive tastings that aren’t available anywhere else. It starts at 17h00 and 21h00.
Tickets are available via Webtickets. Early Bird tickets available now and up to 19 October: Thursday 30 October R260; Friday 31 October R290 per ticket. Full rate tickets from 20 October and at the door: Thursday 30 October R295; Friday 31 October R375 per ticket. Standard Bank clients will receive a discount of up to 30% on their ticket purchase, limited to four tickets per transaction.
LESOTHO WINE FEST
Lesotho Wine Show is set to sizzle wine lovers with more than 140 wines from 40 producers all day tomorrow (Saturday).
Sponsored by FNB, the annual wine festival was established in 2012, and ranks among the kingdom’s premier wine and lifestyle gatherings.
Each year, it champions Lesotho’s wine culture and showcases local talent. It is organised by Station Off Sales (Liquor City group) with backing from a professional team dedicated to event coordination.
It will be held from 12h00 to 16h00. Tickets cost R450 a person. For ticket options visit www.lesothowine.co.ls/tickets.
Cape2Clarens Wine Fest
The inaugural Clarens2Clarens Wine Festival will host two days of indulgence, discovery, and delight in the heart of the charming village of Clarens.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Maloti Mountains in the Eastern Free State, Cape2Clarens is a brand-new premium wine festival that promises an unforgettable celebration of South African wine.
Designed to bring the Cape’s most exceptional wines directly from their vineyards to one of the country’s most beloved destinations, Cape2Clarens offers guests the opportunity to taste, explore, and purchase wines from top Western Cape estates.
Tickets cost R295 a person. Visit www.cape2clarens.co.za for more information.. – Compiled by Len Maseko
