Rondavel Hills Syrah 2024, Tembela Wines, Western Cape

Bright and approachable, with aromas of red and black fruits. On the palate, juicy redcurrants and raspberries are layered with a subtle spice and soft tannins.

From the winner of South Africa’s New Generation Winemaker of the Year!

Banele Vakele grew up in Cape Town’s largest township, Khayelitsha, where he still resides with his four younger siblings. His wine journey started with a scholarship to a Constantia high school where his classroom overlooked a vineyard – this is where he daydreamed about what life in wine would be like.

Following high school, Banele got a degree at Elsenberg Agricultural College and enrolled on the Cape Winemaker’s Guild Protégé programme, where he did stints in Burgundy, Oregon and Yarra Valley. The final stage was with Savage wines in Cape Town. Such was Duncan’s fondness and respect for Banele as a person and winemaker, he was there for 7 years.

Banele’s wine, Tembela, is named after his mother, which means faith, hope and belief. Banele has chosen the name Rondavel Hills for his other wines, as it reminds him of the huts dotted around the rolling hills in the Eastern Cape where he was born.