New York, NY, March 24, 2015 — Cape Wine 2015, a triennial wine industry event in Cape Town, South Africa, is experiencing record numbers of participation; 95% of the exhibitor space is sold out six months ahead of the September show, as well as all “early bird” consumer tickets. Siobhan Thompson, CEO of event host, Wines of South Africa (WOSA), attributes the increased awareness to growing foreign interest and investors in South African wines.
Cape Wine 2015 will take place from September 15-17, 2015, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. Sponsored by DHL Express and Nampak, Africa’s foremost packaging company.
“We are thrilled by such affirmation from exhibitors so early on in the game,” notes Ms. Thompson. “Cape Wine is always extremely well supported by local wine exporters but to have such extensive commitment already, as well as funding from two key industry players, is unprecedented. It bodes very well for this year’s event.”
Cape Wine provides South African wine producers access to international buyers, sommeliers, critics, and journalists, with the intention to stimulate exports, wine reviews, and interest in the region’s diverse offerings.
The impact of existing positive comments from influential international critics and tastemakers such as Jancis Robinson MW, Andrew Jefford, Tim Atkin MW and Neal Martin, as well as foreign investment from such countries as the US, India, and China, has helped grow interest in this year’s event.
“The reputation we are currently enjoying is the result of assiduous work over more than a decade across several fronts,” adds Ms. Thompson. “We have accelerated plant improvement programs, we are engaged in world-class vineyard and winemaking research, and we are collaborating across a broader international front than ever before. Cumulatively, these steps have helped to produce a new generation of dynamic, focused, and often visionary people in the industry, and curiosity from buyers and observers is rising.”
The three-day event will feature a series of speakers, including: Analjjit Singh, founder of Max India Limited, who owns vineyards in Franschhoek, a stake in Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, and a luxury boutique hotel in the wine lands, to discuss the potential for international investors participating in the local wine industry; Michael Jordaan, WOSA Chairman and venture capitalist; Siobhan Thompson, WOSA CEO; Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunity; and others. Visit Cape Wine 2015.
About Wines of South Africa
Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is the organization representing all South African wine producers who export their products. WOSA, which was established in its current form in 1999, has over 500 exporters in its database, comprising all the major South African wine exporters. It is constituted as a not-for-profit company and is totally independent of any producer, wholesaling company or government department, but is recognized by the South African Export Council. WOSA’s mandate is to promote the export of all South African wines in key international markets including the United States.
About Colangelo & Partners Public Relations
Colangelo & Partners Public Relations (CPR) is a midtown Manhattan-based public relations and integrated communications agency specializing in food, wine and spirits. Boasting long established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry’s leading brands, CPR continually creates unique story lines that are consistent with the clients’ brand strategies in order to provide a steady stream of compelling content to journalists and keep them in the news. A Finalist in the prestigious 2013 PR News ‘A List Awards’ in the integrated communications category, CPR utilizes social media, web marketing, advertising and promotions to build campaigns that establish brand strength and drive sales.
