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Thursday 1st September 2011 - 6 pm to 10 pm
Friday 2nd September 2011 - 6 pm to 10 pm
Saturday 3rd September 2011 - 5 pm to 9 pm
  Many winemakers travel to the festival for you to meet, talk to and taste with.
 
  Discover South Africa’s finest destinations while tasting your way through 950 wines and plan your next holiday.
 
  There is a wide choice of food to buy at the festival, so plan for an evening of great tastes!
 
  Wine Education is an important part of the TOPS Soweto Wine Festival.
 
Owners | History

About Soweto Wine Festival

It Starts with a Conversation

The idea of having a wine festival in Soweto was borne around a braai in Pretoria in 2004 between neighbours Lyn Woodward (an original member) and Mnikelo Mangciphu (co-founding active member). They were drinking wine out of Soweto Beer Festival glasses, and several glasses later, thought what a good idea it would be to have a Wine Festival.

It was the right time to start introducing South Africa’s quality wines to the remaining 80% of our population. Wine is not for white South African’s only to enjoy. It should be a way of life for all South Africans. Six years later, the Soweto Wine Festival is Mzansi’s favourite wine festival and THE place to be seen.
 

Soweto Wine Festival Owners

Dedicated and Committed

Co-founding member of the Soweto Wine Festival is Mnikelo Mangciphu who is the owner/manager of the only wine shop in Soweto - Morara Wine & Spirit Emporium, which he launched after the first Soweto Wine Festival in 2005.

The other co-founding member of the festival is Marilyn Cooper who is a Cape Wine Master and is also the Managing Director of the Cape Wine Academy based in Johannesburg.

Mnikelo Mangciphu, one of the festivals founding members and owner of Soweto’s first wine shop, Morara Wine Emporium, says that this festival is dedicated to encouraging, educating and growing black wine drinkers in Mzansi.
 

Soweto Wine Festival History

Timelines of Success

2005:
The inaugural festival was held over three days at Ubuntu Kraal in Orlando West, was attended by 1500 members of the public and was officially opened by the then Minister of Agriculture Thoka Didiza. 82 wineries came to that first festival, filled with great excitement; many had never been into a township before.

2006:
The festival moved to the present premises University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus, which has proved to be a far more suitable and more accessible venue, with larger safe parking. Over 3000 people attended the Soweto Wine and Brandy festival, and all had a great time.

2007:
The festival showcased 94 different wineries with over 800 labels to entice the 4225 visitors that came through our doors. It was also the first year we invited big brand sponsors to participate in the festival.

2008:
The festival grew to 105 exhibitors with over 850 wines to taste and 4365 visitors to taste them. The hall was packed to seams, to the point we had to stop selling tickets early. This year we included an ‘edutainment’ element to the festival called the Pick n Pay Wine Class.

2009:
The festival featured 103 wineries exhibiting with over 800 wines and 5520 visitors attending. 2009 was so packed that doors closed 2 hours after opening. We have learnt our lesson - Sowetans LOVE South African Wine!

2010:
In the year that South Africa hosted the Soccer World Cup, the Soweto Wine Festival welcomed a sell-out audience of over 7,500 visitors to the three-night event. Despite increasing capacity with the addition of a Platinum Wine Arena, organisers closed doors early on Fridy and Saturday nights.
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