Namaqua fanatics

Namaqua Wines fanatics came out to show their support at the Namaqua-fees that took place between 27-29 October.

Desert Champions

Maretha and Alwyn of the Namaqua Athletics club have successfully completed the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon 2011.

After a grueling 10 days of running a marathon in the Kalahari desert, Alwyn has completed the race in 2nd place over all and Maretha was 1st in the woman's league. Congratulations!

After all the hard work, there is nothing better than relaxing under the shade of the Namaqua Gazebo!

Turning up the heat

Namaqua athletes, Alwyn and Maretha, are turning up the heat at this year's Augrabies Extreme Marathon having finished the 4th stage of the race with outstanding results. Despite the intense heat of the Kalahari desert, Alwyn achieved a 2nd placing and Maretha was the 1st woman to cross the finish line! Keep it up!

Huisgenoot Namaquafees 2011

Are you ready for a party? Join us at the 2011 Huisgenoot Namquafees from 27-29 October to enjoy local music, entertainment and of course one of the best wines South Africa has to offer!


Tickets can be purchased from Computicket so be sure to get yours today!

Namaqua winemaker conquering a marathon

Congratulations to Alwyn (Namaqua winemaker) and Maretha from the Namaqua athletics club in Vredendal who were placed 2nd and 3rd respectively on the first day at the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon 2011. Maretha was the first woman to pass the finish line! WELL DONE!

Namaqua Mountain Bike Challenge 2011

Join us in Vredendal for the Namaqua MTB Challenge on Saturday, 29 October 2011 - the same weekend as the Huisgenoot Namaquafees!

Prices:
56 km - R110
32 km - R80
10 km - R30 (entries only on the day)

Times:
56km - 07h00
32km - 07h30
10km - 08h00

To view the route description, click here.
Enter online over here to secure your spot!

Namaqua Wines Supports Casual Day 2011

Today is Casual Day and every year, Namaqua Wines supports this cause to raise funds for people with disabilities in South Africa. Year after year, more and more people and companies buy their stickers for R10 to join in this fun and easy campaign, affecting change in thousands of South Africans’ lives.

Be sure to get involved in the day of laughs and goodwill, by purchasing a sticker at Absa, Game, Dion Wired, Edgars, Boardmans, CNA, Jet or a participating NGO. Dress up, do team-building, have fun, and most importantly: Join Namaqua Wines in showing your support for services to people with disabilities.

Good things come in boxes

This latest fan letter was sent to us all the way from Malta, Europe:

I have just finished drinking one of your 8-sided boxes of white wine. I would like to say that I found your wine extremely refreshing and having a bouquet which is amazing for a wine which comes in a tetra pack and not glass bottled. I also have to point out that I bought the wine from my supermarket for EURO 8.78 which is roughly equivalent to 91 RAND. This makes your wine CHEAPER than TWO leading Maltese white bottle wines which are very popular here in Malta. Again congratulations from a very satisfied customer. Regards. Henry A. De Marco

Thanks for the fantastic feedback, Henry! This letter just goes to show - never judge a wine by its packaging!

Namaqua is Die Een

Our wines have always had a certain star quality about them, so it came as no surprise when two of our finest recently made their star debut on the acting front. In Afrikaans artist Le-Lue's latest music video for her song Die Een, Namaqua's Shiraz and Extra Lite make star appearances throughout. According to those on set, the two Namaqua stars were a joy to work with, never failing to get it right on the very first take. Blending Le-Lue's angelic vocals and our lip-smacking wines, the video turned out beautifully, captivating the audience from the very first scene. Click here to watch Le-Lue's full fairy tale unfold, and be sure to keep a lookout for Namaqua!

Drumroll please...

Ladies and gentlemen, boxes and wine glasses - we are proud to introduce the NUMBER 1 recognised boxed wine brand in South Africa... NAMAQUA! Yes, you read it - number one, nommer een, namba moja, in the whole entire country that is South Africa.

This incredible honour has been bestowed upon The Namaqua Box by the TGI 2011 Icon Brands Awards, after a recent survey of which the results appeared in the Rapport. Of course, it's impossible to become the number one of your kind without spectacular number one supporters. So from all of us at Namaqua - thank you for your loyal support, appreciation and sharing, and helping The Box claim his fame. You can be sure that we'll only continue to box the best, for the best.

*The 2011 Iconic Brands report as displayed in the picture above, is courtesy of Rapport Newspaper

Namaqua is Tops at Spar

Namaqua was a guest of honour at the recent launch of Tops at Spar Vergelegen, in Somerset West. The grand opening lured many curious customers, especially with 'Jozi The Namaqua Boxed Man' parading around outside the doors, sharing hugs with the fans.

Tops at Spar branches across the country have been stocking their shelves with Namaqua for quite a while now, and it's a great pleasure to welcome Vergelegen to this growing chain of success.

Namaqua - tried, tested, approved and recommended by Crush

Namaqua's Dry Red and Blanc de Blanc made a proud appearance in this month's Crush magazine. After years of boxed wines not featuring alongside bottled wine reviews, Micheal (the connoisseur) comments that it's 'an omission that needs correction'.

Be sure to visit Crush magazine to read the full review and see how Namaqua puts boxed wine back on the theoretical map. Also make sure you have a box of Namaqua in the fridge, ready and waiting to be shared this holiday.

A heartwarming letter

Namaqua Wines recently received a heartwarming letter from Lesley Brisco. Read what he had to say...

To Namaqua,

I just want to tell you how fantastic your Namaqua Wines are! I started drinking them a few years ago and always recommend them to my friends as an affordable, good option in boxed wines.

I love the Blanc de Blanc!

I have a hairdressing salon in Sea Point and always offer my clients a glass of this chilled wine. They love it and usually can't believe it's merely a boxed wine. I have converted many to your wines.

Guys, keep up the good work and keep producing affordable, good quality wine that we all love.

Many Thanks, Lesley Brisco

We really appreciate your kind words Lesley, keep on sharing!

Like this box and win

Namaqua Wines are giving away 3 limited edition Namaqua Wines Cooler Bags, stocked with enough wine to share with your friends! Enter the competition by following us on Facebook.

Harvest Time Tours

Namaqua Wines will be hosting their wine cellar tours during harvest time, from 22 February to 22 April 2011, Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 15:00.

Phone 027 213 1080 to book your free cellar tour.


Why not make a day out of it? After your tour, you can go relax at Die Keldery Restaurant with a glass of cold Verdelho (only available at the cellar), which is the South African Champion at the Young Wine Show 2010 in the Other White Category.

We hope you can make it - you'll only reap the benefits.

Promotions!

Namaqua Wines will be promoting their products in stores to share where they come from, face to face with their customers. These ladies have been trained by us to promote Namaqua the way it should be - remember to say hi to them at a liquor store near you!

It's that time of the year again

...and what a great time of the year it is! Namaqua Wines have been hard at work harvesting. We have already received approximately 6 000 ton grapes at Spruitdrift Cellar, where we produce our red wines; and approximately 22 000 ton grapes at Vredendal Cellar, where we produce our white wines.

We even broke some harvest-time records, for instance a stellar amount of 2460 ton grapes that were received on a single day! The trucks had to line up, forming a queue that stretched as far as the railway station. With the amount of effort that we're all putting into this year's harvest, it looks as if every day is going to be the same! Well done to everybody involved.

Namaqua shares with new Maties

Namaqua Wines attended the 2011 Jool in style, sponsoring the Dagbreek and Lydia Houses for their celebrations. Namaqua was seen everywhere around Stellenbosch, creating a great brand awareness while sharing where they come from. We wish all the best to the new Maties in Stellenbosch!

E&J Brandy, now in your local liquor store!

E&J Brandy from California has recently been launched in South Africa.

This distinctive blend is known as America's most preferred brandy, and sports much reason to be. The remarkable character of E&J Brandy can be granted to the vertical blending of different aged brandies from the finest white oak barrels. This time consuming process is well worth the weight, as it is worth the cost, to develop the coveted, naturally rich flavour of E&J.

E&J Brandy is proudly brought to you by Gallo Wines, which is the world's largest family owned winery. Not only are they the biggest wine brand in the world, they're also the number one selling!

Give your palate a swirl of E&J Brandy's full taste - look out for the unique bottle baring its proud name. E&J Brandy is available at a liquor store near you!

Welcome to the world's largest family

We are proud to announce that Gallo Wines has been launched in South Africa.

What started as a dream come true over 75 years ago, has blossomed into the world's largest family owned winery. Gallo Wines is based on a strong work ethic, a drive for perfection and a focus on quality.

The Gallo family still believes family ownership is the most effective way for the Winery to continue as a world leader in the wine industry. They have not yet been proven wrong.

In fact, as one of the most acclaimed wineries in the world with over 15 000 acres of vineyards, more than 5 000 employees worldwide and ever increasingly product portfolio - that is currently sporting 60 different brands, including table and sparkling wines, malt beverage products, dessert wines and distilled spirits - the Winery keeps growing from strength to strength.

We are proud to announce that the following selection of Gallo Wines will be available in South Africa:

Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine has aromas of blackberry and berry jam that effortlessly integrate with notes of spices, chocolate and vanilla. The Gallo Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon succeeds admirably with thick cuts of prime rib or juicy oven-roasted lamb. Meaty red pasta sauces are another consideration, or hearty Asian dishes that are generously spiced.

White Grenache

Vibrant fruit flavours of fresh strawberry and watermelon, with notes of floral and spice make the 2008 vintage the perfect wine to serve with a variety of lighter foods, such as salad greens tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette or grilled seafood brochette.

Chardonnay

This wine features ripe tree fruit with notes of pineapple and mango. The fruit is enhanced with a hint of toasted oak and brown spice. It has a lingering, creamy finish with a balanced acidity. This pairs beautifully with pasta in cream sauce, mild cheeses, or grilled chicken.

Relax. Take off your shoes. Savour a glass.

We are proud to announce that Barefoot Wine has been launched in South Africa.

Barefoot Wines were founded on the premise of making and selling an easy-going, palatable wine that will enlighten first-time wine consumers, while charming even the most demanding aficionados.


Barefoot Wines associate with various non-profit organisations to help promote their desire to make the world a better place and improve the quality of living for generations to come. Over the years, Barefoot Wines has been a part of thousands of non-profit events, becoming a familiar face and key-player in supporting ground-breaking initiatives. Have a look at the following video clip to see the positive footprints Barefoot Wines leave in our environment:



We are proud to announce that Barefoot Wines are setting foot on local shores, with the following selection:

Pinot Grigio

As refreshing as ocean breeze, Barefoot Pinot Grigio is light bodied, elegant and flavourful. Tart green apple flavours harmonise with notes of luscious white peach, floral blossom and citrus. Perfect for sea food (such as salmon or shrimp), chicken, pasta and light salads.

Moscato

Barefoot Moscato is delightfully sweet, just like it says on the bottle. You will fall in love with it from the first whiff of its lush, fruity aroma. Full of flavours of juicy peach and ripe apricots, this wine has citrusy hints of lemon and orange that wraps things up with a bright crisp finish. An easy sipping wine that is a bit sweeter than our Riesling. Enjoy this wine with mild cheeses, fresh fruit or spicy Asian dishes. It’s also terrific with desserts, or you can slap them all together and indulge in another glass of our Moscato instead.

Zinfandel

Barefoot Zinfandel can be enjoyed on ice, while you fire up the grill – the fun begins with the first whiff of this sweet, fruity wine. It has flavours like Georgia peach and pineapple, sun ripened strawberries and succulent pear, and is as light and lively as they come! Our white Zinfandel makes everything else taste better, whether it’s chicken or seafood, fruit or cheeses.

Merlot

Barefoot Merlot is perfect for any occasion. It is a decadent fruit filled combination of red cherry, boysen berry and plum with melt-in-your-mouth chocolate notes and mild tannins to round the flavours. We suggest pairing this red wine with red meat and hearty tomato based dishes, or a wide variety of desserts.

Barefoot Wines is proudly brought to you by Gallo Wines, which is the world's largest family owned winery. Not only are they the biggest wine brand in the world, they're also the number one selling!

Keep an eye open for the Barefoot Wine range in a Spar, Pick 'n Pay, and Aroma stores near you!