Although roughly 80 percent of South Africa’s population is Black, fewer than 1 percent of the country’s 560 wineries are Black-owned.
Stephen Satterfield, an American entrepreneur, aims to change that. He founded the International Society of Africans in Wine to expand opportunity in South Africa’s wine industry. His first initiative is a training center teaching the fundamentals of winemaking and wine business skills. By equipping Black South Africans with practical knowledge and industry experience, Satterfield hopes to open doors and create more equitable participation in the sector.
At present, only two fully Black-owned wineries—Seven Sisters and M’hudi—exist, though there are also Black cooperatives and estates where workers hold equity. The wines from these producers typically retail in the $13 to $20 range.
Seven Sisters, run by seven Brutus sisters, produces a range of wines each named for one of the siblings. Among wines available in the United States, the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and focused, with bright acidity that makes it an ideal aperitif. Their Rosé, blended from Pinotage and Shiraz, demonstrates the vivacity of those grapes: off-dry, with the color and aroma of ripe strawberries, it pairs nicely with cookies or biscotti for a light dessert. The 2007 Pinotage/Shiraz is a red with a subtle nose, medium body, and a firm finish.
M’hudi—its name meaning “harvester” in Setswana—offers a Pinotage 2006 in the U.S. market. That bottling is well balanced, with integrated components that produce a richly flavored, smooth-bodied wine.
Solms Delta is another South African winery represented in the United States and offers an instructive model of shared ownership. Founded by the Solms family some 320 years ago, the estate is now overseen by descendants such as Mark Solms, who, together with a partner, has established a trust for employees. They divided ownership of the property into three equal shares: one for each owner and one-third reserved for workers, creating a meaningful stake for the people who maintain the land and make the wine.
These developments align with Satterfield’s vision. He believes that expanding training, ownership opportunities, and employee participation can have lasting impact. “If we are successful,” he says, “I hope it will have broad ripples throughout South Africa’s young democracy.”