From Law to Wine – My journey
From Law to Wine: My Winding Journey
If you’d told me years ago that I’d be knee-deep in the wine world today, I probably would have laughed and poured another cold beer. But life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs, and mine came in the form of grapes—sparkling ones, to be exact.
The Great Escape
After qualifying and practicing as an attorney for a couple of years, I realised that the structured black-and-white world of law was just not for me. As someone who is naturally creative and thrives on dreaming more imaginatively, I felt like a square peg in a very tightly sealed round hole.
So, I did what any self-respecting twenty-something in a quarter-life crisis would do: I packed my bags and left seeking fame, fortune and adventure.
I spent a couple of years overseas, hopping between countries, absorbing cultures, and meeting fascinating people. It was a time of discovery in every sense of the word and, honestly, figuring out what the heck I wanted from life. Somewhere along the way, I met a kindred spirit who shared my appetite for the unknown. Together, we decided to start something of our own—our first taste of entrepreneurial chaos.
The Prosecco Epiphany
Our first venture didn’t exactly set the world on fire, but it did teach me a valuable lesson: failure often opens doors to opportunities you didn’t even know existed.
In 2014, I noticed that something called Prosecco that was setting the sparkling world on fire, and I was immediately intrigued. This wasn’t just sparkling wine—it was a global phenomenon. Without much thought (or maybe a little courage from a glass of wine), I sent a cold email to a Prosecco producer. I still have the email and will sometimes look at it and see how far this adventure has taken me.
I didn’t know who they were or where this might lead, but what did I have to lose?
As it turns out, Masottina are one of the best Prosecco producers in the world. Africa as a market was (and is) rising and they were very excited to have a presence locally. Suddenly, we were in the Prosecco business.
From Two Bottles to a Whole Portfolio
We started small, with just two products on our portfolio. As with all business, time is money so after only having a limited offering and securing meetings with some brilliant clients, it became clear that we had to expand the offering. The inevitable question kept popping up: “What else do you have?”
By 2019, we knew it was time to level up. We began reaching out to local South African producers, building relationships and curating a portfolio that made us proud. Here’s the kicker: I wasn’t even much of a wine drinker back then. But I’ve always believed that passion and curiosity go hand in hand, and the more I learned about wine, the more fascinated I became.
Today, our portfolio reflects the heart of South Africa’s wine culture, and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of that story.
Adventures in Wine
This industry has been nothing short of an adventure. From quirky client conversations to deep dives into wine knowledge, every day feels like a new chapter in a book I can’t put down. And while the Covid-19 pandemic threw its fair share of challenges our way, it also reinforced why I love what I do.
Wine isn’t just about what’s in the bottle; it’s about people, stories, and connections. It’s about history, culture, and a shared love for something that brings people together.
Looking Ahead
As I write this, I do feel grateful for where life has taken me. The path hasn’t been straight or smooth, but it’s been mine. I’ve learned that when you lean into your passions and embrace the unexpected, amazing things can happen.
So, here’s to the future—to discovering new wines, meeting more incredible people, and continuing to explore this beautiful, messy, and endlessly rewarding industry.
Cheers! 🍷
