Bonnievale’s southern lights go out 31 October 2007

Hamilton-Russell keeps Southern Right’s rights

The difference a letter makes! There seems to be little poetic justice when even good intentions won’t convince a deputy judge president.

Bonnievale Wine Cellar has agreed not to proceed with its new Southern Lights range of wines after Anthony James Hamilton Russell (apparently the full name of the owner of that whale-inspired, Hermanus-produced duo, Southern Right Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc), took the Breede River winery to court. He claimed that the two names were similar enough to cause confusion.

Ironically, Bonnievale - which has a large range of labels - intended that Southern Lights, marketed in the UK and the Netherlands, would have a charity component in the form of a levy towards the country’s Sea Rescue Institute. 

The Cape Times reported on Hamilton Russell’s complaint that the Bonnievale wine would erode Southern Right’s upmarket image, as Southern Lights appeared to be intended to be sold in higher volumes to the mass market at lower prices – thus damaging his wines’ reputation.