The rise of sommeliers in South Africa's dining scene
Once overshadowed by culinary maestros, sommeliers are now enjoying a renaissance within South Africa's dining establishments, becoming essential to the hospitality and culinary scene.
Gone are the days when a sommelier—often an older gentleman clad in formal attire—would approach a table to present a wine list with a hint of superiority.
Today, young sommeliers, many in their 20s or 30s, don relaxed clothing and bring a fresh, engaging spirit to the dining experience. Their mission? To simplify wine and make it more accessible to the average diner.
As wine consumption in South Africa continues to rise, so too does the need for professionals with a deep knowledge of both local and international wines.
This modern sommelier is not merely a curator of lists but rather an informed guide who assists diners in understanding how flavours in food and wine interplay.
They expose diners to pairings that elevate the meal and the wine, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Moreover, today’s sommeliers play a crucial cultural role. These ambassadors of wine work to make it approachable for casual drinkers, sharing insights about how local ingredients and traditional cooking methods can complement various wine styles.
As a result, wine is evolving from a niche interest into a mainstream facet of South African dining culture.
Enhancing this narrative is the fact that restaurants are now evaluated not just for their culinary offerings but also for the quality of their wine lists and the service they provide.
This shift has led to a burgeoning interest in the profession of sommelier, with numerous schools dedicated to training individuals in this field.
Prospective sommeliers are acquiring skills that encompass everything from wine selection and service to management and gastronomy.
Amidst this growth, the emergence of social media platforms has allowed sommeliers to further engage with wine enthusiasts, sharing their expertise and passion with a global audience.
For those eager to explore the contemporary wine scene, below we highlight five stars within SA’s cadre of sommeliers.
Lethabo Mothwa
Lethabo Mothwa is a sommelier at the Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch in Johannesburg. Mothwa has been making waves in the wine industry since 2018.
Her journey began with a deep fascination for wine, sparked by a tasting experience that led her to pursue formal education through the Cape Wine Academy and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).
Mothwa’s impressive career includes representing Bayede Royal Wines, appointed by King Goodwill Zwelithini of the Zulu Nation, and working at Big Five Duty-Free at OR Tambo International Airport.
Thembani Wesley Mpande
In 2022, Thembani Wesley Mpande was named the Champagne Telmont Best Young Sommelier of South Africa. Mpande’s first job was as a junior sommelier at Saint Restaurant.
He is an ex-professional athlete who fell in love with the wine world. Mpande was introduced to wine when he was a runner at Saint Restaurant.
He never knew what a sommelier was but, without realising it, the profession alone brought together everything he loves.
Mpande’s passion for wine has evolved into an obsession and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
Laurie Cooper
Laurie Cooper is the winemaker and sommelier at Abingdon Wine Estate in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
Cooper runs all viticulture and winemaking on the four-hectare estate. She is a Wine & Spirit Education Trust diploma graduate and the founder of the KZN School of Wine.
She founded the KZN School of Wine in January 2015 after realising the need for more wine education in KZN.
She is a distinction graduate from the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy and has served as a judge for the SAA wines selection panel the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show and London-based IWSC.
In 2023, Cooper also took the runner-up position as the Best Sommelier in South Africa.
She was announced the winner by the South African Sommeliers Association (Sasa) along with the Star Wist List of the Year South Africa awards.
Bafana Zondo
Bafana Zondo is the head sommelier of Dusk Restaurant. At the restaurant, Zondo meticulously crafts a wine list that celebrates both local and international wines, catering to every palate.
The restaurant’s renowned pairing experience, Pandora’s Box, serves as His canvas to showcase exceptional wines, taking diners on a unique journey to the Dusk cellar.
In July, Zondo was selected for the South African Sommeliers Association's Team South Africa team, an elite group of the nation's most skilled sommeliers dedicated to representing the country in international wine competitions.
George Young
George Young is the resident sommelier at Vergenoegd Löw in Stellenbosch. The expert panel of the sommeliers association recently honoured him as the Best Young Sommelier of SA 2024.
Hailing from Hoedspruit in Limpopo, Young demonstrates a quiet commitment and deep passion for sharing the joys of wine.
His qualifications include WSET Level 3 and a diploma from the Cape Wine Academy. His next aim is to achieve the highly regarded Cape Wine Master qualification.