Overview: Wines of South Africa (WoSA) hosted a three-day showcase at Artcaffé Cellar on Rhapta Road, Nairobi, from October 30 to November 1, 2026. The event featured masterclasses and tasting sessions distributed through local partners Meridian Kenya, Wine Routes, and Vergelegen.
The Full Story
“Goeie wyn het geen kranse nodig nie,” a beautiful Afrikaans adage translating to “Good wine needs no advertising.” This expression reflects South Africa’s rich wine culture, which came alive over the weekend at Artcaffé Cellar. The three-day showcase offered masterclass and tasting sessions dedicated to different South African wine varieties.
The event schedule allocated Friday to Pinotage, Saturday to Chenin Blanc, and Sunday to Cap Classique. A selection of South African wines awaited guests, ranging from refreshing Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay to the more robust Cabernet Sauvignon and distinctive Pinotage. The cellar regularly hosts wine tastings, offering enthusiasts an opportunity to sample different varieties and learn about their origins.
Distributed in Kenya through local partners including Meridian Kenya, Wine Routes and Vergelegen, the wines offered an opportunity to explore the diversity of South Africa’s wine industry without having to travel thousands of kilometres. One of the most memorable discoveries was a wooded Chenin Blanc 2025 bearing the name ‘Thokozani’. Thokozani is a Zulu expression associated with joy and celebration, a fitting sentiment reflected in the bottle’s logo of two hands coming together.
Production & Profile
The showcase highlighted specific varietals including Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, Cap Classique, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. A selection of South African wines awaited guests, ranging from refreshing Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay to the more robust Cabernet Sauvignon and distinctive Pinotage.
One specific wine highlighted was the Thokozani 2025 Chenin Blanc. This wooded Chenin Blanc bears a name associated with joy and celebration in Zulu, reflected in the bottle’s logo of two hands coming together. The wines offered an opportunity to explore the diversity of South Africa’s wine industry without having to travel thousands of kilometres.
Brand & Industry History
WoSA’s engagement in Kenya forms part of a wider strategy to tap into emerging intra-African trade opportunities. Market projections by StrategyHelix indicate that Kenya’s wine industry could grow from USD 950 million (approximately Ksh.122 billion) in 2024 to more than USD 1.5 billion (approximately Ksh.193 billion) by 2030.
This growth is expected to be driven largely by value rather than increased consumption volumes, which have remained relatively stable at approximately 8,000 metric tons annually since 2019. As Kenya’s wine culture continues to evolve, experiences such as the WoSA showcase are helping introduce consumers to new varieties.
What This Means
The event aims to encourage appreciation of premium wines and make wine education more accessible. These initiatives help introduce consumers to new varieties within the evolving Kenyan market landscape.
Consumer Takeaway
This bottle or news offers the drinker access to specific South African varietals like the Thokozani 2025 Chenin Blanc without travel. The wines are available through local partners including Meridian Kenya, Wine Routes and Vergelegen at Artcaffé Cellar.
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