We are here because we love wine. Grape was founded as a print magazine in 1999 by a small group of winelovers and winewriters, as a positive reaction against the state of South African wine journalism. We found it so depressing: the domination of the local wine press by big wine business interests, or by the more insidious pressures of advertisers. Grape was determined to be totally independent of such influences. There would be no advertisements – let alone advertorials! – and the magazine (quarterly and very un-glossy) would have to be carried by subscriptions and sales. This was hardly a recipe for making money, so all the staff of Grape and all who have contributed to the magazine and website over the years have done so without any financial reward. Although the magazine grew to be respected both locally and internationally, it was never going to be viable, and in mid 2005 we took the hard decision to abandon the magazine, and concentrate on a website, which we developed seriously since 2004. After four years, it was time again for a change, to the looser format in which we now exist: a group of contributors each running his or her own blog or series of columns.

Our focus

South African wine and wine-issues continue to be our focus, but we have always striven to ensure that we bring an understanding and appreciation of the international context. The core team of Grape has changed a little over the years. Philip van Zyl left early to concentrate on the enormous job of editing the annual Platter Wine Guide. Tim James and Cathy van Zyl were joined by Angela Lloyd. Soon after we forsook print for the more ethereal medium of the internet Melvyn Minnaar joined us to manage our news section. A number of other supporters, both professional and amateur, have contributed – always on an unpaid basis, working for the good of the best elements in the South African wine industry. The latest recruit to the permanent team – and the first to be based outside the Western Cape – is Rob Boyd. Most of us are professionally involved in the wine industry, but insofar as no-one receives any payment for their work here, Grape is in the best sense of the word amateur, and proudly so.

Principles

The principle of rigorous independence that Grape has become known for apply to this website. Any wine or winery enthused about is here only because we think it should be – not because anyone has paid us to include it. We prefer to avoid all advertising, and we are not here to sell anything, not even to further the sales of magazines or newspapers. That is, we think, true independence.

COMMENTS ON GRAPE

We very much welcome comments on our articles, and they can be as critical as people wish. But please do not make comments that do not do anything more than make cheaply insulting remarks about people (including us!), without any real content to them. We will delete such comments as well as any that are flagrantly racist, sexist, etc.