WeeklySA_AdminDEBUT:Zarion makes credible entry into wine market
By Len Maseko
Congratulations, both your wines are alluringly soft and with delicately smooth palate. Zarion Rose is fruit-driven, light-bodied, easy drinking and graced with a delectable finish while Zarion Cabernet Sauvignon similarly exudes upfront fruit, but with greater depth, weightier and voluptuous palate with long savoury finish.
You must be very proud of the impressive results from your first attempt at winemaking?
I am quite proud of our first offering. It introduces the company well, and shares the snippets of the types of wines we will be offering also in future. Our first offering tells the story of what is to come – and depicts the warrior notes we tend to infuse people with. Great quality wines which are easy to drink and to share over a feast table, or alone.
How did you come up with the idea of starting your own wine label?
Wine has always been part of my life. I love hosting, sharing my space and seeing people happy. When the time came to expand myself into a new adventure – wine became the easiest choice.
Wine symbolises togetherness, great memories and a life shared amongst family and friends.
I wanted to start something that would help me create a legacy for my family; something they can experience and evolve over time, and when looking at the wine industry; it is mostly filled with family-run businesses that stand the test of time.
What inspired your liking for wine?
Wine drinking began as an experiment while studying towards my tertiary education at the University of the Western Cape.
It used to be my study buddy; and evolved into an interest within the industry; which was ignited through the visit to wine estates and some wine related events. I had a friend at varsity who worked for one of the wine-rating agencies and they would bring back wines for us to experience.
At that time I didn’t even know I was consuming collectables, and just loved everything associated with wines and the different experiences it brought.
Every wine experience is different, how you pair your wine can provide you with a different taste of the same wine. Each bottle vintage is also different. This appealed to my love for wine – the variety of it; the different experiences it brought me, plus with wine I am always at a beautiful calmer space when I have it; whether I am studying, hosting, cooking or just planning ahead – it always feels right.
These experiences and my love for always engaging with new wines encouraged me to start my own wine brand.
How did you arrive at the choice of grape varieties to make your wines?
I chose wines which I knew would resonate with many people. The Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most loved grape varieties in South Africa, often found in most blends. It is a choice of wine I always fall back on – when sure and unsure; the cab sav in its subtleness is always a winner.
The Grenache rose is my surprise selection, something new and fully-bodied that many would not select off shelf, because of the assumption that it would either be very sweet or very dry; which this wine is neither. It is very refreshing and has been received well by many
It was also a tester for something refreshing I could share with wine lovers and wine explorers at large. I loved the inviting look of the wine and its salmon pink tones.
How did you go about launching your wine?
We decided on brand activations, where people could experience the wine, paired with some cheese platters.
What has been your milestone since starting your own label?
Watching the brand coming to life and seeing people enjoy it in their own way, from picnics, to dinner tables and camping trips. It has been a dream to see it alive.
Being tagged by wine lovers and explorers on social media pages and reading all the great reviews about the wine. Every day is a different milestone.
What do the names SV wines and Zarion signify?
SV stands for Sandile Vilakazi, Vilakazi being my maiden surname. As the first born at home, I was given the boys’ name Sandile; meaning to expand. I felt it necessary to extend this into the wine brand and to truly say I am following on my namesake – I am leading and expanding our family legacy. My father always called me an ambassador of the Vilakazi family, and, as such, I aim to live up to that calling.
Zarion, is an infusion of my first and second name; which are Sandile & Felicity; which combined mean leadership, expansion, wealth and happiness.
Zarion means warrior. Warriors are courageous leaders who enter battles fearlessly. I wanted a name that would resound with the essence of who I am and that would be universal. Zarion is just that. I can hear a person ordering Zarion in Jamaica and in America, and enjoying the essence of what it means.
What does your range consist of?
It currently consists of the Cabernet sauvignon and the Grenache Rose.
Do you export your wine?
The intension is to export the wine, but currently I am still learning more about the business and hoping to expand in future. We are currently selling it online, stores and restaurants.
How much wine do you bottle at present?
Enough to cater for my clients and still remain a boutique wine. We are not bottling massive volumes to keep to the essence of our market and whom we are now.
What challenges have you faced so far when it comes to marketing your wine?
The industry is still learning how to manage small wine producers and how to place them on the market. The expectation is that small wine companies must have a similar budget as that of well-known brands.
There needs to be availability of samples and an online budget to push advertisements of the brand; and this can be tricky for a new brand.
We are taking this as learnings and finding other alternative means to market the brand.
Do you make the wine yourself or do you receive guidance from any winemaker?
I work with different wine makers, who advice on the final product selection. I am not a wine maker, but a wine brand owner who has created great relationships with different winemakers; who produce the right type of quality wines for my brand.
What training have you had in winemaking?
None at all. I am an avid wine drinker with a good understanding of wines. I intend to enrol for some wine courses after I complete my MBA next year; which will focus not on the engineering side of winemaking but the experience side of enjoying it.
What lessons has this journey taught you so far?
It has taught me that there is never a perfect time to start. That trusting your ability and capacity to build a brand is sufficient. That there would always be people ready to assist you to evolve always; and that I am a sea full of ideas ready to be shared with the world.
People love new experiences, are open to new ideas and are ready to explore.
I have leaned also that within this industry there are a lot of perceptions that still need to change on who can own a wine brand and the how part.
That there is still room for incubation programs that can encourage investment into the industry and participation by more black women.
What can we expect from you in the five years?
We plan to expand the brand and introduce other lines and MCC’s. We will add two lines of white varietals by March of 2022. There will be more dinners, golf days, picnic etc
Besides making wine, what do you do?
Professionally, I am an executive and environmentalist, who has experience in developing new strategies, evolve environmental management techniques.
I am also an MC and speaker; I share my career experiences, life and related topics, and am often requested to come engage young people and women in self-development. I am also a mother of four, a wife to Bheki Maseko, child to the Vilakazi household.
